Awareness and attitudes toward radiation risks among patients undergoing diagnostic imaging in North India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Patients’ knowledge and perceptions on radiation risk have a significant impact on informed consent and adherence to diagnostic imaging. With the ever-increasing practice of radiological examinations, there is relatively little known on knowledge of radiation hazards and perception among patients in North India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 500 adult patients availing radiological investigations (X-ray, computed tomography, or fluoroscopy) at three tertiary care hospitals of northern India, between July and December 2024. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect the information on demographic, knowledge about radiation hazard, source of information, attitude towards the safety of radiation, and tendency to ask clarification from the physician. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine the relationship between demographics and knowledge. Results: Only 28% of the participants had sufficient knowledge about the risks for radiation from diagnostic imaging. Higher knowledge was significantly related with higher education levels (P < 0.01) and previous exposure to X-rays (P = 0.03). Most (62%) were concerned about the potential long-term effects of radiation, but few (18%) recalled receiving information on radiation safety from healthcare professionals. Despite this, most patients (74%) expressed a preference to learn about radiation risks if information was presented at the point of care. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant lack of knowledge and awareness regarding radiation risk among patients in northern India, with the majority of them depending on informal sources for information. Improved communication and focused educational efforts from healthcare providers are crucial to raise patient awareness and to encourage an informed choice about radiological investigation.