Evaluation of Skill in Interpreting CT Scan of Brain in the Physicians and Interns Working in the Emergency Ward of Rafsanjan University Hospital, (2012)

The vital role of CT scan of brain has been demonstrated not only in traumatic intracranial emergencies but also in non-traumatic intracranial emergencies. Interpretation and reading the results of CT scan of Brain for the physicians working in emergency wards has become a necessity. Since in all the medical centers، the access to a radiologist is not possible، at all hours in the present study، we decided to evaluate the skill of both physicians and interns emergency wards in interpreting the CT Scan of brain in the university hospitals of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was performed on 64 interns and general practitioners who were working in the Emergency wards of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences hospitals who voluntierd to participate in the study. Ten standard brains CT scans were given to the participants for interpretation. Then، the rate of correct answers and the level of self-confidence of the responses were statically analyzed (chi-square and Fisher’s exact test). The results showed the mean scores among the respondents who had passed the neurology course and respondents who had not yet passed the course were significantly different and the same difference was seen among physicians in term of their working experience. Also، confidence level was different between physicians and interns. On the other hand، this parameter was significantly different among the interns who had passed the neurology course and the interns who had not yet passed the course. Male confidence level scores were more than the female score among intern. The results showed، experience is the most important factor that could increase the confidence level score، so education programs should be conducted to increase the ability of both interns and physicians working in the emergency wards in reading and interpreting CT scan images.