Knowledge of CT exposure parameters among Norwegian student radiographers
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Knowledge of CT exposure parameters among Norwegian student radiographers Sundaran Kada
Abstract Background: Improvements in the competency levels of student radiographers in computed tomography examinations (CT) are important due to the increasing number of these examinations being undertaken in imaging departments. The present study assesses the knowledge of student radiographers regarding CT exposure parameters. Methods: The level of knowledge related to CT exposure parameters was evaluated using a twenty-one-item questionnaire that was distributed to final-year student radiographers. The questionnaire consisted of questions around CT exposure parameters and either allowed respondents to answer “true,” or “false” or choose a response from a range of responses where only one answer was correct. Correct answers were given one mark, while no mark was given for an incorrect answer. The score out of possible 21 was converted to a percentage, with a higher percentage signifying greater knowledge. Results: Seventy-two students completed and returned the questionnaire, resulting in a 71% response rate. The mean score was 53%. Only 33% of students correctly identified that kilovoltage peak (kVp) should be increased when patients have metallic implants, and milliampere seconds (mAs) should be increased as body part thickness increases. No one answered all the questions correctly. There was no significant knowledge difference between students who had CT facilities on campus and those that did not. Conclusion: Overall, student radiographers’ knowledge of CT exposure parameters was reported to be satisfactory. Keywords: CT exposure parameters, Optimization, Radiation dose, Image quality, Student radiographers, Survey
Background Developments in the technical aspects of computed tomography (CT) technology, such as multidetector CT, iterative reconstruction algorithms, and dual-energy CT, have resulted in increased scan speed and improved image quality [1, 2]. This progress has resulted in a twofold increase in the use of CT examinations in the clinical environment over the past three decades [3]. CT is the most commonly used imaging modality in Norway [4], and its use doubled (11–21%) from 2002 to 2008 [5]. CT examinations account for about 20% of all radiological Correspondence: [email protected] Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Post Box 7030, 5020 Bergen, Norway
examinations in Norway and has the highest use of CT procedures among Nordic countries [6]. CT scans remain popular due to their capabilities [7], despite contributing significantly to ionizing radiation exposure for medical use. In fact, CT is the greatest source of exposure for the United States population, contributing to almost one-half of total radiation exposure for medical use [8, 9] and accounting for almost 60% of the radiation exposure from imaging modalities in western countries [10]. In Norway, CT examinations contributed to 66% of the total radiation dose received d
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