Assessment of Radiation Protection Practices among Healthcare Workers in High-Volume Radiology Departments

Abstract

High-volume radiology departments represent some of the busiest and most radiation-intense environments within modern healthcare systems. As imaging demand continues to expand—particularly in urban referral hospitals and tertiary care centers—concerns regarding occupational exposure among radiology personnel have increased. Healthcare workers in radiology, including radiologists, radiographers, technologists, nurses, and interventional teams, are exposed to varying levels of ionizing radiation depending on the nature of imaging modalities, procedural frequency, and workflow organization. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of radiation protection practices among healthcare workers operating in high-volume radiology departments. It evaluates adherence to radiation safety principles, structural and personal protective measures, awareness levels, administrative controls, technological safeguards, and systemic challenges affecting compliance. The discussion synthesizes evidence from published literature and conceptual analysis to highlight gaps between recommended guidelines and real-world practice. The paper concludes with a set of strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening radiation safety culture, enhancing education, improving engineering controls, and integrating advanced monitoring technologies to reduce occupational exposure while maintaining high-quality imaging services.