Knowledge of Computed Tomography Scan Parameters and Dose Indicators Among Radiography Students in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54450/saradio.2024.62.2.831Keywords:
CT, image quality, skills laboratoryAbstract
Background: Computed tomography (CT) scan parameters significantly affect the radiation dose received by patients and the quality of resulting images. Knowledge of exposure parameters, and the trade-offs related to a e patient’s dose and image quality, are fundamental skills for radiographers and radiography students. Knowledge of these parameters among radiography students for dose optimisation was investigated.
Methodology: Radiography students (n = 101) were invited to complete a web-based or a self-administered questionnaire using a convenience sampling method. The returned questionnaires were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version (20). A significant difference in response was determined using Chi-square, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered the significance level at the 95% confidence interval.
Results: The response rate was 100% (n = 101). It is difficult to achieve a 100% response rate, but this was possible due to the small sample of participants, and frequent reminders through verbal, phone and other media means. Overall knowledge of the scan parameters was noted as moderate. A statistically significant (p = 0.035) number of participants 92 (91.1%) indicated being aware of the CT dose indicators. However, a significant (p = 0.040) number of them 90 (89.1%) could not name the dose indicators correctly. Also, a significant (p = 0.052) number 85 (84.2%) did not know the most informative dose indicator.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the CT scan parameters among radiography students was moderate. However, knowledge of dose indicators was limited. Recommendation is that there needs to be an improvement in training and a review of the existing curriculum, especially an aspect of the experience to make the theoretical knowledge ’come alive’.
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