Bridging the gap in radiation protection knowledge among medical students: A call for curriculum reform

Abstract

Medical imaging enhances diagnostic accuracy and supports clinical decision-making. However, it poses high risks due to the ionizing radiation exposure. Awareness and knowledge of radiation protection and principles of ionizing radiation exposure is critical to minimizing the associated risks. The study aimed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding radiation protection among medical students and to identify the gap in the radiation safety. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 372 students from various health programs using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Awareness and knowledge levels were categorized into five intervals ranging from very poor to very good. Awareness levels of participants were generally high (62.9 %). However, knowledge scores were notably lower, with over 50 % below the average levels and only (4.3 %) demonstrated very good knowledge of radiation protection. Radiology students outperformed peers from other disciplines, yet significant gaps in fundamental knowledge, such as the ALARA principle and dose equivalence, persisted. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.301, p < 0.001) was observed between awareness and knowledge levels. No significant difference was observed based on gender, age groups or academic level in terms awareness or knowledge. While awareness of the need for radiation protection is relatively high among medical students (62.9 %), the lack of knowledge highlights the need for educational interventions. Incorporating radiation safety lectures and training into medical curricula will minimize radiation-related risks in healthcare professionals effectively.