Knowledge and Perception of Radiation Exposure by Patients in Diagnostic Radiology in Saudi Arabia 2024

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation is a helpful diagnostic tool in a wide range of medical specialties. However, it imposes a risk of radiation exposure to both patients and healthcare professionals. Patients need to know the advantages and disadvantages of ionizing radiation-based imaging procedures in order to give their informed permission. X-rays and computed tomography (CT) have a random lifetime risk of causing cancer. This risk is hard to explain and frequently disregarded. The study aimed: To assess patient knowledge and perception of medical imaging to facilitate an informed consent process. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a general outpatient clinic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Convenience sampling was used to distribute questionnaires during clinic hours from January to March 2024. Results:A total of 219 people responded. Only 6% were aware that natural background radiation poses a risk of cancer, whereas 22% were aware that CT generates ionizing radiation linked to cancer risk. Just 25% were aware that CT is more likely than X-rays to cause cancer. Most (93%) were aware that smoking is more dangerous than X-rays. Concern with X-rays was statistically linked to the Internet as a source of knowledge. Conclusions:Patients were unable to compare the danger of various imaging modalities and underestimated the risk of CT cancer. Using more well-known relatable dangers as comparators can help communicate risk more effectively. The patient groups who needed the most education were those with little information.