Knowledge gaps and radiation exposure concerns: Time for a revamp of radiation training structures for trainee surgeons.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess surgical trainee knowledge of occupational radiation exposure, personal protection equipment (PPE) compliance, and prior radiation protection training.

Design: A cross-sectional quantitative study using a questionnaire-based survey.

Setting: Tertiary care hospitals in Ireland.

Participants: 79 surgical trainees across six surgical disciplines, with a 70 % response rate.

Results: Seventy-nine of 112 surgical trainees (70 %) completed the survey. Most were specialist registrars (47 %), with orthopaedics, plastic surgery, and urology comprising 70 % of respondents. Although 78 % had attended a radiation safety course, 40 % lacked fluoroscopy-specific training. Knowledge gaps were evident-60 % of questions were commonly answered incorrectly, with only 11 % correctly identifying CT radiation dose. Despite frequent fluoroscopy use, dosimeter use was poor: only 7.6 % always wore one. Prior training correlated with increased PPE use and awareness of long-term radiation risks, including fertility concerns. While 67 % expressed concern about exposure, only 21.5 % said it influenced speciality choice. The most used PPE was lead skirt/top (72 %), followed by thyroid shield (52 %), while lead glasses and gloves were rarely worn.

Conclusion: Significant knowledge gaps and low PPE compliance were observed amongst surgical trainees. Given the strong desire for further training, we recommend a modernised, interactive national radiation safety training program tailored to surgical specialities.