Radioprotection No 59-1 | Page 39

N . Shubayr et al .: Radioprotection 2024 , 59 ( 1 ), 30 – 35 33

Table 2 . Descending order of radiation safety culture dimensions among radiological technologists .

The majority of the MRTs were male ( 75.0 %) and within the ages of 25 – 44 yr . A total of 53.2 % hold bachelor ’ s degrees , 32.3 % have diplomas and 14.5 % have postgraduate degrees . Moreover , 26.6 % of the MRTs had more than 15 yr of working experience in radiology departments while 41.1 % had less than 5 yr of experience . The 11 determinants of RSC instrument were analysed based on the socio-demographic characteristics of the MRTs . A significant difference was observed in the leadership actions scale between both genders ( p = 0.036 ), with females reporting higher values than males . Questioning attitude was also significantly different between age groups ( p = 0.009 ); the 35 – 44 yr age group scored higher than the other age groups ( Tab . 1 ).

Table 2 demonstrates the mean scores of the 11 scales of the RSC Survey Instrument . The dimensions are ranked from the highest to the lowest mean score , indicating the relative strength of each dimension in the RSC of the respondents . The highest mean score was obtained for personal accountability ( 4.43 ± 0.62 ), followed by teamwork in imaging ( 4.22 ± 0.91 ) and organizational learning ( 3.97 ± 0.97 ). The lowest mean score was obtained for nonpunitive response ( 2.94 ± 1.01 ), followed by leadership actions ( 3.22 ± 0.87 ) and error reporting ( 3.41 ± 1.09 ).

Table 3 shows the categorical levels based on the mean scores for the 11 scales of the RSC Survey Instrument , in which a mean score below 3 indicates poor perception , from 3 to 4 indicates moderate perception and above 4 indicates good perception . The majority of the MRTs were in the high level for the personal accountability ( 71.8 %), teamwork in imaging ( 56.5 %) and organisational learning ( 46 %) scales , and in the moderate level for the teamwork across imaging stakeholders ( 53.2 %), questioning attitude ( 71 %), feedback loops ( 47.6 %), leadership actions ( 74.2 %), error reporting ( 53.2 %), radiation policy ( 54.8 %) and overall perception of radiation safety ( 62.1 %) scales . Among the 11 scales , the highest percentage of MRTs in the poor level was for non-punitive response ( 45.2 %).

4 Discussion

RSC ensures that people and organisations using radiation sources know the risks and take precautions to protect themselves , their co-workers and the public from ionising radiation . RSC can also prevent mishaps and maintain public trust and confidence in radiation safety ( Ali , 2008 ). In this study , we evaluated the perception level of RSC among MRTs in Saudi Arabia working in different private and public hospitals using a previously validated tool .

Most MRTs scored within a moderate to high perception regarding the RSC . More than two-thirds of the participants showed a positive perception of the current RSC with moderate and high levels . This result shows that most MRTs are willing to create a work environment where safety is prioritised and all stakeholders understand their role in ensuring radiation safety . Our study is in line with a previous study that reported on the RSC , highlighting the positive impact of regulations on enhancing patient safety and promoting a safety culture ( Berris et al ., 2017 ). A previous study measured the level of commitment to safety culture among radiation workers in different practices using a questionnaire survey . They found that the level of commitment to safety culture varied widely among the practices , from 23.3 % to 90.0 %, and was influenced by several factors related to the radiation exposure , the radiation protection equipment and training , the management support and supervision , and the personal attitude and motivation of the radiation workers . They advised that the practices with low levels of commitment to safety culture should take steps to improve their safety performance and behavior ( Faanu et al ., 2010 ). Moreover , another study evaluated the impact of an RSC intervention program on the occupational exposure of radiation workers in different sectors . They found that the intervention program resulted in a lower and more uniform radiation dose for medical radiology , nuclear medicine , and industrial radiography workers , as well as a 48 % drop in the collective dose above the investigation level for medical radiology workers . The study confirmed that the RSC program improved the radiation protection of the radiation workers in different sectors ( Sotirios et al ., 2020 ).

The study analysed the 11 determinants of RSC instrument based on the socio-demographic characteristics of the MRTs . A significant difference was observed in the leadership actions scale between both genders ( p = 0.036 ), with females reporting higher values than males . Questioning attitude was also significantly different between age groups ( p = 0.009 ); the 35 – 44 yr age group scored higher than the other age groups . The difference in leadership actions between females and males may reflect the different styles and expectations of leadership in the healthcare setting , as well as the possible gender bias or discrimination that may affect the opportunities and recognition of female leaders . The difference in questioning attitude between age groups may indicate the different levels of experience , confidence , and curiosity of MRTs in different stages of their career , as well as the possible generational gap or conflict that may affect the communication and collaboration among MRTs of different ages . These findings suggest that gender and age may influence some aspects of RSC among MRTs , and that interventions to improve RSC should take into account these factors .

The dimensions in Table 2 were ranked from the highest to the lowest mean score , indicating the relative strength of each dimension in the RSC of the respondents . The highest mean score was obtained for personal accountability , followed by teamwork in imaging and organizational learning . The lowest