INTRODUCTION

Medical radiation constitutes approximately 40% of the radiation to which human beings are exposed. The pediatric age group is very sensitive to radiation. Therefore, optimizing requests for radiologic examination is far more important in the pediatric group; thus, physicians’ knowledge about medical radiation and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) principles, who are in charge of managing pediatric patients was investigated.

MATERIAL and METHODS

In total, 100 surveys comprising 8 questions each were distributed to four hospitals (two university hospitals and two government hospital) and answered by volunteers.

RESULTS

Among 74 responders the awareness of radiation protection was found to be high (95.9%). However, only 23 (31.1%) of the responders were aware of ALARA principles. Contribution of medical radiation to overall was correctly known by 20 (27%), underestimated by 41 (55.4%), and overestimated by 13 (17.6%). Estimation of possible cancer risk was correctly known by 15 (20.3%) of the responders. Informed consent from the parents attributed as valuable for 51 (68.9%) of the responders. Only 8 (10.8%) of the responders had received an education regarding radiation in medical examinations; of these 8, only 3 (4.1%) of them had received formal education.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of medical radiation was higher than reports of previous years, despite lack of formal education. However, majority of the physicians underestimated and a minority overestimated radiation in medical examinations. ALARA is the key principle in radiation protection. In this context, communication between radiologists and clinicians may be established via regular scientific meetings.

Keywords: Radiation, ALARA, pediatrics