Assessment of Radiation Safety Training, Practices and Knowledge amongst Canadian Orthopaedic Resident Training Programs

Objective: There is ample literature demonstrating significant health risks associated with radiation exposure, yet there is no standardized radiation safety training for Canadian orthopaedic surgery residents. This is the first national survey investigating the prevalence of radiation safety training and radiation safety practices in Canadian orthopaedic residency programs. Methods: A nationaln online survey was distributed to orthopaedic residents currently enrolled in a Canadian program from all post-graduate (PGY) levels who were fluent in English or French with a medical doctorate or equivalent training. Fellows, international elective or observer ship students were excluded. Results: Overall response rate across Canada was 41% (n=116). Most respondents (94%, n=102) were concerned about the negative effects of radiation, yet only 11% (n=12) felt confident with their radiation safety knowledge. Of the residents who felt confident in their knowledge, only 42% (n=5) answered all three radiation safety screening questions correctly. Overall, 58% (n=66) of respondents had undergone some form of radiation safety training. Compliance with protective lead was high (92%, n=93) when available, but 82% (n=92) of respondents cited issues accessing properly fitting lead. Only 18% (n=20) of orthopaedic residents reported routinely wearing dosimeters. Conclusion: Limited access to properly fitting protective lead, poor radiation safety knowledge, and lack of routine radiation monitoring could be placing residents at risk for poor health outcomes in the future. These results provide impetus for orthopaedic residency programs across Canada to implement higher safety standards in the form of standardized radiation safety training, routine dosimeter use, improved lead availability, and continued abidance to radiation safety protocols.