EXPLORING THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Introduction: Radiology plays a crucial role in modern medicine, yet medical students often have limited exposure to diagnostic and interventional radiology during their undergraduate studies. This study assesses their knowledge, attitudes, and practices, along with interest in radiology as a career. Objectives: To evaluate the radiological knowledge of MBBS students, analyze its development during their studies, and assess their attitudes toward radiology as a potential specialty. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at KVG Medical College, Karnataka, on November 8, 2023, involving 300 MBBS students selected via convenience sampling. Data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding radiology were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed for statistical significance. Results: Out of 300 students, 54.33% were female, and 75.33% resided in urban areas. Only 2.33% rated their radiology knowledge as excellent, and 82.33% rated their knowledge of radiation doses as poor. Students with prior clinical radiology postings scored significantly higher (p = 0.0458), and female students outperformed males (p = 0.0015). While 82.33% expressed interest in learning radiology, only 29.66% considered it a potential career, citing concerns about radiation exposure (43.66%) and lack of knowledge (22.33%) as major barriers. Conclusion: Medical students' radiology knowledge is limited, with significant gaps in understanding radiation safety and diagnostic techniques. Enhanced undergraduate radiology education and earlier clinical exposure are needed to bridge these gaps and increase interest in radiology as a specialty