Doctors' knowledge of radiation exposure: questionnaire study: TABLE 1

Abstract

Despite the small but definite risk to patients' health, investigations involving radiation are an accepted and fundamental part of medical practice. In the United Kingdom an estimated 100-250 deaths occur each year from cancers directly related to medical exposure to radiation.1 In March 2000, the UK secretary of state issued new regulations that emphasised the importance and dangers of radiation.2 3 We investigated the level of knowledge doctors have concerning radiation doses received by patients when they undergo commonly requested radiological investigations. We compiled a questionnaire listing the most commonly requested radiological investigations. Participants were asked to identify the average dose of radiation received when a person underwent a standard chest x ray. This was then used to represent a single dose of radiation, and doctors were asked to estimate …