Evaluating the principles of radiation protection in diagnostic radiologic examinations: collimation, exposure factors and use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions.

INTRODUCTION: Producing appropriate diagnostic images along with patient radiation protection is the goal of radiography. Due to the advancements of radiography, concerns about observing the principles of radiation protection exist. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the observance of the principles of radiation protection in radiographic examinations with emphasis on field size collimation, suitability of exposure factors and the use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, two radiography students on their final year of study observed 100 radiographic examinations from the imaging departments of five educational hospitals. The SPSS version 24 software was used to analyse the results. RESULTS: The radiation field collimation was obtained in 46% of the studied radiographs. Patients had companions present during the examination in 26% of the studies; however, protective equipment was only used for 4% of the patients' companions, and no protective equipment was applied for patients. The observance rate of the various principles of radiation protection including field size restriction, the use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions, and suitability of the selected exposure factors was on average 44.6%. CONCLUSION: The observance rate of the principles of radiation protection was insufficient in the studied educational hospitals, specifically in field size collimation and the use of protective equipment for the patients and their companions. Therefore, emphasis on the strict implementation of the radiation protection guidelines and continuous training of radiographers are required.