An Evaluating Medical Doctors' Knowledge of Basic Nuclear Medicine Applications in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Introduction: Nuclear medicine is increasingly becoming common in South Africa, and there is an increase in referral to the unit, the exposure of medical doctor to basic knowledge of nuclear medicine varies, and therefore it is important to assess the knowledge of the referring doctors about the basic application of nuclear medicine. The study aimed to assess the knowledge of Medical Doctors in Limpopo about the basic application of Nuclear Medicine. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect information from medical doctors at the Pietersburg/Mankweng hospital complex in Limpopo about their exposure to nuclear medicine training and knowledge about the basic application of nuclear medicine. The 23-itemised questionnaire consisted of basic clinical application of nuclear medicine. The knowledge score was categorised into pass (<50%) and fail (≥50%). Results: A total of 103 medical doctors with an average of 6(3-12) years of experience participated in the study, 93.1% of the participants have referred patients to nuclear medicine. The median knowledge score among the doctors surveyed was 31.82(22.72-40.91) %, and only 12% scored ≥ 50%. The survey revealed that a significant proportion of medical doctors in Limpopo possess limited knowledge about the basic applications of nuclear medicine. Conclusion: The study findings highlight that there is a pressing need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance the knowledge of nuclear medicine among medical doctors in Limpopo. By improving awareness and understanding of nuclear medicine applications, patient care can be significantly improved through better diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. Future efforts should focus on integrating nuclear medicine education into both undergraduate medical curricula and continuous professional development programs. Keywords – Nuclear Medicine, Medical Knowledge, Diagnostic Imaging, Medical Education, Medical Doctors, South Africa