HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS' PERCEPTION OF THE RISK OF EXPOSURE: OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO IONIZING RADIATION
Sinopse
Ionizing radiation (IR) is an indispensable tool in modern medicine; however, its occupational risks are often neglected, requiring a robust culture of Radiation Protection (RP) to ensure worker safety. Objectives: This study assessed healthcare professionals' perception of the risk of occupational exposure to IR and their adherence to safety protocols in Cardiology and Gastroenterology units, in order to propose evidence-based strategic recommendations for hospital management. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a hospital centre in Northern Portugal. Data were collected from a convenience sample (n=60; response rate = 49.6%) using a validated 29-item structured questionnaire. Perceptions and practices were measured using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Not important/Never; 5 = Extremely important/Always). Results: Although the perceived importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was high (M = 4.53), critical safety gaps were identified: 91.67% of
the professionals were unaware of radiological emergency procedures, and 45.00% had received no specific training in RP. Regarding individual monitoring, 45.00% did not use dosimeters systematically, and 55.00% did not know how to access their dose records, which was the lowest-rated dimension in terms of perceived importance (M = 3.65). Conclusions: A significant gap persists between theoretical perception and practical knowledge. To mitigate these occupational risks, it is essential to reinforce the organizational culture of RP through a strategic action plan that prioritizes mandatory periodic training and increases transparency in dosimetric monitoring.
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Este trabalho encontra-se publicado com a Licença Internacional Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0.
