Assessment of the knowledge level of radiographers and CT technologists regarding computed tomography parameters in Iran

Q1 Health Professions

Radiation Medicine and Protection Pub Date : 2023-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.radmp.2023.01.002

Zahra Kazemi , Khadijeh Hajimiri , Faranak Saghatchi , Mikaeil Molazadeh , Hamed Rezaeejam

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引用次数: 5

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the knowledge of CT technologists and radiographers concerning CT parameters, in order to keep CT users be aware of all CT parameters and their impact on image quality and patient dose while keeping their knowledge up to date.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted in Zanjan province, Iran, using a valid and reliable online questionnaire with 53 questions distributed to 153 radiology personnel. Each questionnaire included questions about demographic characteristics and CT parameters, including kVp, mAs, image noise, slice thickness, pitch and automatic tube current modulation (ATCM), and the effects of these parameters on image quality and radiation dose.

Results

A response rate of 61.0% (94/153) was achieved. This study enrolled 30 radiographers and 64 CT technologists. There was no significant difference in the mean scores of the two groups (52.16 $\pm$ 9.90 vs. 56.09 $\pm$ 12.00, t = −1.545, P = 0.126). CT personnel had the highest and lowest knowledge scores in image reconstruction (t = −28.33, P = 0.001) and mAs (t = 4.27, P = 0.590), respectively, whereas radiographers had the highest and lowest knowledge scores in the fields of image noise (t = 9.85, P = 0.015) and kVp (t = −12.73, P = 0.007), respectively.

Conclusions

The total knowledge scores of CT technologists and radiographers for various scan parameters affecting image quality and dose were insufficient. Thus, it is recommended that regular retraining courses be held to enhance and update technologists’ knowledge.

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评估伊朗放射技师和CT技术人员关于计算机断层扫描参数的知识水平

目的评估CT技师和放射技师对CT参数的知识，使CT用户了解所有CT参数及其对图像质量和患者剂量的影响，同时保持其知识的与时俱进。方法本横断面描述性分析研究在伊朗赞詹省进行，采用有效可靠的在线调查问卷，向153名放射学人员分发了53个问题。问卷包括人口学特征和CT参数，包括kVp、mAs、图像噪声、切片厚度、节距和自动管电流调制(ATCM)，以及这些参数对图像质量和辐射剂量的影响。结果有效率为61.0%(94/153)。这项研究招募了30名放射技师和64名CT技师。两组患者的平均评分比较，差异无统计学意义(52.16±9.90∶56.09±12.00,t =−1.545,P = 0.126)。CT人员在图像重建(t = - 28.33, P = 0.001)和mAs (t = 4.27, P = 0.590)知识得分最高和最低，而放射技师在图像噪声(t = 9.85, P = 0.015)和kVp (t = - 12.73, P = 0.007)知识得分最高和最低。结论CT技师和放射技师对影响图像质量和剂量的各项扫描参数的总知识得分不足。因此，建议定期举办再培训课程，以提高和更新技术人员的知识。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Radiation Medicine and Protection Health Professions-Emergency Medical Services

CiteScore

2.10

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

103 days