Background and purpose: Knowledge on the risks of radiation during diagnostic imaging is necessary to protect patients against the hazards of ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge of interns, radiology residents, radiology students, and staff about radiation doses received by patients in radiological examinations.

Materials and methods: During a cross-sectional study, 163 individuals (interns, radiology residents, students, and staff in Kashan University of Medical Sciences) were asked to identify the average dose of radiation received by patients. A researcher-made questionnaire was administered. Average of correct answers in the groups was analyzed using the SPSS 16 software. The scores above 75%, 75-50%, 50-25%, and below 25% were considered as very good, good, moderate, and poor levels of knowledge, respectively.

Results: The mean scores for the level of knowledge about the dose received by patients were 57.9±2.45% and 52.4±2.65% in the staff and radiology students, while it was 35.35±-1.65% and 41.35±6% in interns and residents, respectively.

Conclusion: In this study most of the radiology staff and students had good levels of knowledge about the radiation dose received by patients during diagnostic radiological methods. Therefore, revising curricula with more emphasis on radiation protection is recommended for medical interns and residents.