Radiation Protection Program Implemented for Irish Medical Undergraduate Students

As a result, there is a growing need for medical professionals to be educated in all features of diagnostic imaging to ensure a basic understanding of imaging technology, appropriate and efficient utilization of diagnostic imaging investigations, basic image interpretation, and possible adverse effects of exposure to ionizing radiation.

An e-learning module in radiation protection was designed and presented to fourth-year medical undergraduates at University Cork College (Cork, Ireland). All students were required to complete premodule and postmodule questionnaires. Eighty-nine percent and 99% of the 127 medical students successfully completed and returned the premodule and postmodule questionnaires. “After the e-learning module, students’ postmodule radiation protection knowledge had improved significantly,” said Sum Leong, MB, lead author of the study.

Analysis of postmodule radiation protection data suggested that a favorable self-assessment of knowledge of radiation protection, perception of career prospects in radiology and completion of the e-learning module with an increased number of sessions were predictive of improved radiation protection knowledge.

“The undergraduate medical curriculum is undergoing constant review and modification in response to modern medical developments that are changing clinical practice. The introduction of radiation protection into undergraduate curriculum therefore requires careful planning to maximize the effectiveness of the course while avoiding overburdening undergraduates with unmanageable lecture and tutorial schedules,” said Mr. Leong. “Combining e-learning and more traditional educational programs such as a clinical radiology rotation is likely to improve student experience.”

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