Quality Control in Medical Imaging: A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge and Practice Gaps Among Radiologic Technologists in Riyadh Hospitals

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

2 Carleton University

Abstract

Background:

Quality control (QC) is a fundamental component of quality assurance (QA) in medical imaging, ensuring diagnostic equipment consistently performs to established standards and supports accurate clinical diagnoses; accordingly, this study aimed to assess radiologic technologists’ knowledge and understanding of QC procedures and to identify potential knowledge gaps by gender and years of professional experience.

Methods:

A total of 92 radiologic technologists and technicians working in hospitals in Riyadh participated by completing a structured online questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed knowledge of QC protocols across various imaging modalities, including X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, PET, and SPECT, adapted from a validated instrument by Mora et al. (2021). Responses were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Associations between QC knowledge levels, gender, and years of professional experience were assessed using Fisher’s Exact test.

Results:

A statistically significant association was found between gender and QC knowledge (P = 0.033), with female participants scoring higher than their male counterparts. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between QC knowledge levels and years of professional experience (P < 0.05), indicating that greater experience was positively linked with improved QC understanding. However, most respondents demonstrated limited overall knowledge of QC procedures across all imaging modalities.

Conclusion:

The study highlights significant gaps in knowledge of QC procedures among radiologic technologists, emphasizing the need for structured, continuous education and periodic certification programs. Integrating practical QC training into radiologic curricula and professional development initiatives is vital for maintaining imaging quality standards.

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