Narrative Review on Radiation Exposure in Healthcare Workers: Unveiling the Risks and Safety Measures

• Main Authors: Rabaiee, Nor Ain, Hassan, Noor Artika, Mat Ya, Roselawati, Shaik Mohd Nizam, Nur Alia Iman, Wan Sabri, Wan Nur Aqilah, Ibarahim, Izzati Ain, Md Kamal, Najwa Elyani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QC Physics; R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/113079/1/828; http://irep.iium.edu.my/113079/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

ntroduction: 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 specifically on healthcare workers. It includes potential short and long- term risks and measures for minimizing exposure. Methods: An 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. 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 at the end of this article. Conclusion: Understanding the potential health effects of exposure, especially among radiation workers, is crucial. Therefore, it is recommended to tailor targeted preventive interventions to reduce harmful exposure to ionizing radiation and potential health issues due to ionizing radiation.