Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice Regarding Ct Safety Among Radiology Student's and Technicians

Background: Computed Tomography is an essential diagnostic imaging tool in modern medicine due to its speed, accuracy, and ability to visualise complex anatomical structures. However, CT imaging delivers significantly higher radiation doses compared to conventional radiography, making radiation safety an important public health concern. Continuous exposure or repeated CT scans can increase the cumulative lifetime risk of radiation-induced effects, particularly in high-risk groups such as children and pregnant women. Ensuring adequate knowledge and proper safety practices among radiology students and CT technicians is crucial for minimising radiation risks and maintaining high standards of patient care. Assessing their competency in CT safety helps identify gaps that may impact clinical practice. Objective: To assess the knowledge, level of awareness and practice of CT radiation safety, safety practices among radiology students and technicians of an institute using a structured questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a Google Form questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice questions on CT radiation, radiosensitive organs, high-risk groups, regulatory bodies, and safety practices related to shielding, pediatric protocols and contrast safety. Participants included students, interns, and CT technicians. The response was analysed using descriptive statistics. Result: The majority of participants (98%) correctly identified CT using ionising radiation. More than half recognised the gonads as the most radiosensitive organ, while others selected the thyroid or lens. Pregnant women were most commonly identified as the highest risk group (67.3%). Most respondents associated repeated CT exposure with increased cancer risks. Knowledge of India’s regulatory authority was strong, with (89.45%) identifying AERB correctly. However, inconsistencies were observed in practical safety measures: some participants reported only “sometimes” or “rarely” using shielding, not always applying pediatric CT protocols, and occasionally neglecting contrast safety assessments. Conclusion: Although radiology students and technicians demonstrate satisfactory theoretical knowledge of CT radiation safety, their practical application of safety protocols remains inconsistent. Strengthening hands-on training, improving curriculum content, and conducting regular competency assessments are crucial for enhancing radiation protection and ensuring patient safety in CT imaging departments. Abbreviations: CT: Computed Tomography, AERB: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, WHO: World Health Organisation, ICRP: International Commission on Radiological Protection, CTDIvol: Computed Tomography Dose Index, DLP: Dose Length Product, LNT Model: Linear No-Threshold Model, DRL: Diagnostic Reference