An analysis of radiation knowledge and safety management of radiation professionals according to work characteristics and work functions

Background: Recently, there have been many studies on the harmful effects of radiation and the regulations on radiation safety have been toughened both at the in nation and abroad. This study aims to identify the perceptions and actions taken as to radiation safety, and the degree of knowledge related to radiation held by the radiologists working in large hospitals. Materials and Methods: The research tool used in this study is a structured questionnaire. It is consisted of three parts. The first part was about demographic characteristics with 10 questions. The second part was about basic knowledge with 15 questions. The third part was about the perceptions and actions with 10 questions each. The data was statistically analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and I-P analysis. Results: First, the more education the study subjects received, their knowledge of radiation increased even though the result was not statistically significant. Second, there was a statistically significant difference in relation to the gender and the age group in safety management practices. The degree of safety management practice was higher among the men than the women. Third, there was a statistically significant difference at the significant level of 5 percent in all 10 questions on the radiation safety management and the degree of practice. Conclusion: Since there is a growing importance on the radiation safety management, it is imperative to tailor educational programs to trainees’ gender, age, educational level and duty in order to make the education program for radiation professionals more teleological.