Knowledge on Irradiation, Medical Imaging Prescriptions, and Clinical Imaging Referral Guidelines among Physicians in a Sub-Saharan African Country (Cameroon)
Joint Authors
Jean Roger, Moulion Tapouh
Boniface, Moifo
Tene, Ulrich
Samba Ngano, Odette
Tchemtchoua Youta, Justine
Simo, Augustin
Gonsu Fotsin, Joseph
Source
Radiology Research and Practice
Issue
Vol. 2017, Issue 2017 (31 Dec. 2017), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2017-05-23
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Clinical imaging guidelines (CIGs) are suitable tools to enhance justification of imaging procedures.
Objective.
To assess physicians’ knowledge on irradiation, their self-perception of imaging prescriptions, and the use of CIGs.
Materials and Methods.
A questionnaire of 21 items was self-administered between July and August 2016 to 155 referring physicians working in seven university-affiliated hospitals in Yaoundé and Douala (Cameroon).
This pretested questionnaire based on imaging referral practices, the use and the need of CIGs, knowledge on radiation doses of 11 specific radiologic procedures, and knowledge of injurious effects of radiation was completed in the presence of the investigator.
Scores were allocated for each question.
Results.
155 questionnaires were completed out of 180 administered (86.1%).
Participants were 90 (58%) females, 63 (40.64%) specialists, 53 (34.20%) residents/interns, and 39 (25.16%) general practitioners.
The average professional experience was 7.4 years (1–25 years).
The mean knowledge score was 11.5/59 with no influence of sex, years of experience, and professional category.
CIGs users’ score was better than nonusers (means 14.2 versus 10.6; p<0.01).
80% of physicians (124/155) underrated radiation doses of routine imaging exams.
Seventy-eight (50.3%) participants have knowledge on CIGs and half of them made use of them.
“Impact on diagnosis” was the highest justification criteria follow by “impact on treatment decision.” Unjustified requests were mainly for “patient expectation or will” or for “research motivations.” 96% of interviewees believed that making available national CIGs will improve justification.
Conclusion.
Most physicians did not have appropriate awareness about radiation doses for routine imaging procedures.
A small number of physicians have knowledge on CIGs but they believe that making available CIGs will improve justification of imaging procedures.
Continuous trainings on radiation protection and implementation of national CIGs are therefore recommended.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Boniface, Moifo& Tene, Ulrich& Jean Roger, Moulion Tapouh& Samba Ngano, Odette& Tchemtchoua Youta, Justine& Simo, Augustin…[et al.]. 2017. Knowledge on Irradiation, Medical Imaging Prescriptions, and Clinical Imaging Referral Guidelines among Physicians in a Sub-Saharan African Country (Cameroon). Radiology Research and Practice،Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1197679
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Boniface, Moifo…[et al.]. Knowledge on Irradiation, Medical Imaging Prescriptions, and Clinical Imaging Referral Guidelines among Physicians in a Sub-Saharan African Country (Cameroon). Radiology Research and Practice No. 2017 (2017), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1197679
American Medical Association (AMA)
Boniface, Moifo& Tene, Ulrich& Jean Roger, Moulion Tapouh& Samba Ngano, Odette& Tchemtchoua Youta, Justine& Simo, Augustin…[et al.]. Knowledge on Irradiation, Medical Imaging Prescriptions, and Clinical Imaging Referral Guidelines among Physicians in a Sub-Saharan African Country (Cameroon). Radiology Research and Practice. 2017. Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1197679
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1197679