NARRATIVE REVIEW ON RADIATION EXPOSURE IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS: UNVEILING THE RISKS AND SAFETY MEASURES

Abstract

Introduction: The use of ionizing radiation in medical imaging and therapeutic procedures has witnessed a significant rise in recent years. This, however, has led to an increased risk of radiation exposure for both patients and healthcare providers. The cumulative exposure received by healthcare workers in clinical settings has been a major cause of concern. While limited studies have provided a narrative review of the health effects of radiation on radiation workers, this study aims to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the effects of radiation exposure on healthcare workers. It includes a rigorous assessment of the current state of knowledge, potential risks, and strategies for minimizing exposure.

Methods: unstructured literature review in which the original articles were screened during the period from January to April 2023, using the following sources: PubMed, Springer Link, TheBMJ, Oxford Journal, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and were limited to articles written in English. The screening process was limited to articles written in English and aimed to identify studies that examine the health effects of radiation among healthcare workers in clinical settings.

Results : In total, 30 articles were identified, and 15 were selected. Various factors in relation to the health effects of radiation have been discussed. Mitigating measures are presented well at the end of this article.

Conclusion : In a conclusion, understanding the potential health effects of exposure especially among radiation workers is crucial to better tailor targeted preventive interventions to reduce harmful exposure to ionizing radiation and the health issue due to ionizing radiation is crucial.