Undergraduate Radiology from the Final Year Medical Students` Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Diagnostic Imaging in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The role of radiology in medicine is globally expanding, but medical students' knowledge, perception, and practice of diagnostic imaging are limited. We aim to examine the status of undergraduate radiology from the final-year medical students' knowledge, perception, and practice of diagnostic imaging and to identify factors influencing their interest in radiology in our environment. Methodology: This was a 3-month prospective study from 1st September to 30th November 2021, assessing the status of undergraduate radiology among final-year medical students at a public teaching hospital. Data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23, with a statistically significant level pegged at p < 0.05. The findings were presented in tables. Results: Forty-six (46) final-year medical students completed the questionnaire, of which 35 (76.1%) were males and 11 (23.9%) females, aged 24 to 38, with a mean age of 28.5±2.33years. Males were more interested in radiology, as evidenced by 41 (89.1%) students who liked this specialty, with a male-to-female (M: F) ratio of 3.1:1. Twenty-four students (52.2%) expressed interest in specializing in radiology. Half of 23(50.0%) of the students listed six imaging modalities, demonstrating their remarkable knowledge of diagnostic imaging modalities. The scores on knowledge of radiology showed exceptional and good knowledge by 17 (37.0%) and 26 (56.5%) students respectively. Perception of radiology scores revealed that 41 (89.1%) and 5 (10.9%) students had negative and positive perceptions, respectively. As for the practice of radiology scores, safe and unsafe practices were exhibited by 5 (10.9%) and 41 (89.1%) students, respectively. All 46(100.0%) students had completed their radiology posting. Conclusion: Despite having acceptable knowledge of radiology, the students' perception and practice of diagnostic imaging were limited. The interest in radiology was because the majority of students considered it important in patient management and useful as a diagnostic tool.