Knowledge and awareness of CT radiation dose and risk among patients

The study aims to assess the level of patients’ awareness and knowledge regarding radiation and dosage along with the associated risks from computed tomography (CT) scan. This cross-sectional study used questionnaires, which were distributed to the diagnostic imaging departments of six large local hospitals in Jordan between September 2014 and March 2015. A total of 600 patients completed the questionnaire, out of which, 52.33% of respondents were female and 47.6% male. The findings show insignificant effects of gender on patient’s knowledge (P = .596) and significant effect of employment and profession on positive scores (P = .000). Similarly, no statistical differences were found between gender and correct answers (P = .707). This cohort of patients demonstrated a lack of awareness and knowledge about the use of ionizing radiation for diagnostic imaging. Thus, there may exist a similar lack of information that will require imaging professionals to raise patients’ awareness and offer them the appropriate information.