S3018 Improving Radiation Safety Knowledge in Gastroenterology Trainees: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Several interventional gastroenterology (GI) procedures involve the use of fluoroscopy, which carries radiation risks. Trainees are exposed to radiation when participating in these procedures, however, the vast majority of GI fellows receive no formal education in radiation safety. This lack of education is concerning as it can increase a physician’s personal risk of developing a stochastic effect of radiation, and may limit the pool of physicians pursuing interventional GI training due to concerns regarding radiation exposure. We assessed current trainees’ knowledge and opinions regarding radiation safety, and then implemented an educational intervention to improve both knowledge and perceptions of radiation safety. Methods: Current general GI fellows at Stony Brook University Hospital were administered a pre-intervention survey which included questions assessing their general knowledge of and attitudes towards radiation safety. A 30-minute lecture was then presented, and the survey was re-administered a median of 2 weeks later. Pre- and post-intervention scores of the general knowledge questions were compared via a paired t-test. Results: Ten GI fellows were included in the study (80% men, 30% first year fellows, 30% second year fellows, 40% third year fellows). All participants took both the pre- and post-intervention tests. None of the participants endorsed any formal radiation safety training prior to the study, yet 50% stated that concerns regarding radiation had influenced their decision whether or not to pursue a career in interventional gastroenterology. Mean test scores significantly improved from 53% to 74% post-intervention (P = 0.0059). Prior to the intervention, only 60% of trainees stated they felt comfortable modifying behaviors to limit their own radiation exposure during cases; this improved to 90% post-intervention. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that a simple 30-minute intervention can improve knowledge regarding radiation safety in GI trainees. In addition, trainees expressed feeling more comfortable modifying their behaviors to limit radiation exposure after participating in this study. While this was a small pilot study conducted at a single academic center, our team is working to standardize the educational intervention and expand this study to other GI fellowship programs in the United States to further improve radiation safety knowledge and encourage behavioral changes that allow for further consideration of interventional GI careers.