Medical Physics

Biography

Biography: Adambounou Kokou

Abstract

Objective: to review the level of knowledge and perception of the nuclear medicine by togolese physicians. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted from 1st August to 30 September 2013 including 197 togolese general practitioners and specialists practicing in health facilities in Lomé, the capital of Togo. The level of physicians’ knowledge on the medical imaging technics used in nuclear medicine as well as their perception of nuclear medicine were analyzed. Results: Only 11.7% had completed an internship in apart from Togo. More than three quarters of physicians (83.8%) knew that nuclear medicine uses ionizing radiations. More than half (51.3%) disregarded that nuclear medicine is functional imaging and 61.4% thought it was more radiant than any other radiology examinations. Less than half of the physicians (47.2%) thought that the radiologist skills required to interpret a nuclear medicine examination. Only 22.8% and 3% physicians had respectively seen and prescribed nuclear medicine examination. They were 78.7% to estimate that the lack of nuclear medicine department in Togo hampers the management of patients and 68.5% to judge necessary its creation in Togo. More than half of the physicians (54.3%) wanted a radiotherapy department is created before a nuclear medical service. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of togolese physicians on nuclear medicine is acceptable and their perception of nuclear medicine is generally encouraging. Keyword: Nuclear Medicine, Medical Imaging, Togolese Physicians, Perception and level of knowledge, Medical Management. Knowledge and perception of Nuclear Medicine by Togolese physicians