Evaluating the Impact of Toolbox Training on Health Professionals in Radiation Environments: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In recent years, the use of radiation diagnostics, treatment services, and many areas of health services has become widespread with technological developments. The widespread use of radioactive substances and radiation-producing devices in health services has increased the need for effective radiation protection programs, and the need for training in terms of the applicability of these programs is also increasing. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of on-the-job toolbox training defined as a short, informal safety meeting led by a supervisor that focuses on specific workplace hazards or safe work practices on the knowledge, practices, and safety-related behaviors of healthcare professionals working in radiation environments. Sixty-three participants from the radiology units of a university hospital in Hatay, Türkiye, were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=33) or a control group (n=30). The intervention group received brief, face-to-face training sessions using visual materials in their work environments. Data was collected before and after the training and at two follow-up periods. After the training, radiation protection knowledge increased significantly in the intervention group (p<0.001), while no change was observed in the control group. Observational assessments revealed that there was an improvement in practice scores in the intervention group and that the gains were largely maintained over time. Additionally, adverse event reporting, an important quality indicator, increased significantly in the intervention group, indicating increased safety awareness. These results confirm that toolbox training is an effective method for improving both knowledge and safe practices among healthcare professionals. Its brief, practical, and workplace-based format contributes to increased engagement and retention of learning. The findings support the integration of toolbox training into in-service training programs as a complement or alternative to traditional methods. Future studies should examine its long-term effectiveness and applicability in a variety of healthcare settings.