Data from: International Atomic Energy Agency survey study with referring physicians on patient radiation exposure and its tracking: A prospective survey using a web based questionnaire

OBJECTIVES: To assess the following themes among referring physicians: A. Importance of acquiring information about previous diagnostic exposures; B. Knowledge about radiation doses involved, familiarity with radiation units and, age related radiosensitivity; C. Opinion on whether patients should be provided information about radiation dose; and, D. Self-assessment of appropriateness of referrals. DESIGN: A prospective survey using a web based questionnaire. SETTING: International survey among referring physicians. PARTICIPANTS: Referring physicians from 28 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge, opinion and practice of the four themes of the survey. RESULTS: 728 responses from 28 countries (52.3% from developed and 47.7% from developing countries) indicated that while the vast majority (71.7%) of physicians feel that being aware of previous history of CT scans would always or mostly lead them to a better decision on referring patients for CT scans, only 43.4% often enquire about it. The majority of referring physicians (60.5%) stated that having a system that provides quick information about patient exposure history would be useful. The knowledge about radiation doses involved is poor, as only one-third (34.7%) of respondents chose the correct option of the number of chest x-rays with equivalence of a CT scan. 70.9% of physicians stated that they do not feel uncomfortable when patients ask about radiation risk from CT scans they prescribe. Most physicians (85.6%) assessed that they have rarely prescribed CT scans of no clinical use in patient management. CONCLUSIONS: This first ever multi-national survey among referring physicians from 28 countries indicates support for a system that provides radiation exposure history of the patient, demonstrates poor knowledge about radiation doses, supports radiation risk communication with patients and, mandatory provisions for justification of a CT examination.

研究目标：评估转诊医师群体的以下四大主题：
A. 获取患者既往诊断性辐射暴露相关信息的重要性；
B. 对相关辐射剂量的认知水平、辐射单位的熟悉程度，以及年龄相关性放射敏感性；
C. 关于是否应向患者告知辐射剂量信息的观点；
D. 对自身转诊行为合理性的自我评估。

研究设计：采用网络问卷开展前瞻性调查。
研究场景：面向转诊医师的国际性调研。
研究对象：来自28个国家的转诊医师。
主要结局指标：本次调研四大主题对应的认知、观点与实践行为。

研究结果：本次调研共回收来自28个国家的有效问卷728份，其中52.3%来自发达国家，47.7%来自发展中国家。结果显示，尽管绝大多数（71.7%）医师认为，了解患者既往CT检查史总能或大多情况下能帮助其做出更合理的CT转诊决策，但仅有43.4%的医师会主动询问患者的既往辐射暴露史。多数转诊医师（60.5%）表示，能够快速获取患者辐射暴露史的信息系统将具有实用价值。受试者对辐射剂量相关知识的掌握情况欠佳：仅三分之一（34.7%）的受访者正确选择了与一次CT扫描辐射剂量等效的胸部X线检查次数。70.9%的医师表示，当患者询问其所开具的CT检查的辐射风险时，他们并不会感到无措。多数医师（85.6%）自评极少开具无临床应用价值的CT检查用于患者管理。

研究结论：这项针对28个国家转诊医师的首次多国调查显示，医师群体对可提供患者辐射暴露史的信息系统持支持态度，同时也暴露出其对辐射剂量相关知识的认知不足，且支持与患者开展辐射风险沟通，以及对CT检查实施合理性审核的强制性要求。