Determination of the Last Semester Radiology Technology Students’ KnowledgeAbout Radiation Protection, Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risk of DiagnosticExaminations With Lonizing Radiation

Radiology technicians have a critical role in protecting patients along with providinghigh-quality images. The present study assessed radiology students' last semester about the principlesof protection, dose level, and cancer risk of ionizing radiation applied for diagnostic imaging. This studywas conducted in training hospitals of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz City, Iran.

 This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed using a study-designed questionnaire.The sample size was 40, and statistical analysis was performed in SPSS v. 24.

 Only 15% of students correctly answered the question of ionizing radiation stochastic effect. While70% of students stated the average dose of an abdominal ultrasound correctly, only 2.5% of them determinedthe average dose of a myocardial nuclear medicine scan correctly. In total, the respondents received 35% ofthe overall score of knowledge about cancer risk caused by ionizing radiation of imaging examinations.

 The students' knowledge about the principles of radiation protection was moderate, andtheir knowledge about the level of radiation dose and cancer risk caused by various imaging procedureswas insufficient. Theoretical and practical education has a significant role in improving the knowledgeand skills of radiology technicians. So, repeating and emphasizing the principles of radiation protectionand paying more attention to these topics in the courses and internships of radiology technology studentsseems necessary. These measures will improve the performance of students and make them preparedto accept their future professional responsibilities.