Determining the radiology technologists' knowledge and job skills and prioritizing their training needs in university hospitals of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Radiology technologists have an important role in controlling patients' radiation dose and providing images with proper quality, and the effect of their skills and knowledge in achieving this is hardly disputable. Therefore, this descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 94 radiologists working in radiology centers of Ahvaz university hospitals in 2019. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire which included: demographic characteristics and questions related to the professional knowledge and skills of technologists. Data were analyzed based on ANOVA and independent paired-sample T-test using SPSS ver. 24. According to self-assessment responses, the highest scores of knowledge and skills were related to selecting the appropriate exposure factors and performing portable radiography, respectively. Also, the lowest scores of knowledge and skills were related to working with PACS system. According to the technologists’ viewpoints, knowledge of radiography techniques and being skillful in it are more important considerations. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and knowledge score and between type of employment and skill score. In general, the level of knowledge and skills of radiologists working in the studied radiology departments is desirable. Holding training courses, performing appraisal tests, and using up-to-date scientific information can be effective in improving service delivery, image quality, and reducing the dose received by patients.