In plain language
In national dose records for 4000 Saudi medical workers (2018-2022), interventional radiology staff had the highest average annual effective dose (1.53 mSv), below the 20 mSv national limit. Overall average doses fell about 13% as the workforce grew.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Original research, Dosimetry measurement study
- Who was studied
- Interventional radiologists, Mixed lab staff
- Size
- n = 4,000 medical workers
- Where
- Saudi Arabia
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Interventional radiology workers had the highest annual average effective dose of the four practices, followed by diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.
Key figures: 1.53, 0.98, 0.96, and 0.74 mSv
Annual average effective dose fell by about 13% from 2018 to 2022 while the number of monitored workers rose 56%.
Key figures: 1.67 to 1.45; 13% reduction; 56% increase in workers
Diagnostic radiology workers contributed most of the collective effective dose.
Key figures: 85%
Annual doses were below the national limit, though the authors call for further dose reduction in high-dose groups.
Key figures: 20 mSv
Limits to keep in mind
Abstract-only, descriptive analysis of national dosimetry records reporting averages by practice, with no detail on dosimeter placement, workload, or roles within interventional radiology. Effective dose may not reflect lens or extremity doses or individual high-dose workers.
Related research summaries
- Development and Effectiveness Evaluation of an Integrated Multidisciplinary Radiation Protection Management Framework for Tertiary Hospitals (2026, Retrospective cohort study)
- Mailed dose record review of occupational dosimetry records among Japanese medical radiation workers: the OREMS Study (2026, Retrospective cohort study)
- Accidents of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation in radiology departments: risks, prevention, and management (2026, Narrative review)
- Occupational Protection in Interventional Radiology. A Joint Guideline of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the Society of Interventional Radiology (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
- SCAI/ASE/HRS/SIR/SVS Expert Consensus Statement on Enhanced Radiation Protection: Time for Mandatory and Urgent Action (2026, Guideline or consensus statement)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 3, 2026.