Abstract / Summary
Background: New hospital staff represent a critical yet underexplored group in radiation safety research. Their initial perceptions and early experiences with safety systems are formative, shaping long-term professional behaviours and highlighting systemic gaps in onboarding and safety culture. Aim: This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of new hospital staff regarding the complexities and opportunities within current radiation safety practices in a clinical setting. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of 84 new hospital staff with less than one year of clinical experience. An anonymous 12-item questionnaire was distributed to assess perceptions across four domains: (1) Procedural Adherence and Workflow, (2) Resource Availability and Use, (3) Organizational Safety Climate, and (4) Monitoring, Feedback, and Improvement. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Results: The majority of participants (58.4%) perceived radiation safety checks as effectively integrated into clinical workflows, and a similar proportion (58.4%) reported that safety responsibilities were clearly defined. However, a substantial minority reported challenges, with 44.0% stating that protective equipment was not reliably accessible. Lack of awareness (32.1%) and competing priorities (29.8%) were the most frequently cited barriers to safe practice. While 50.0% of participants rated inter-departmental coordination as effective, 34.6% perceived it as ineffective. Conclusion: New hospital staff perceive both strengths and significant gaps in radiation safety systems. Targeted onboarding programs, improved equipment accessibility, and enhanced inter-professional communication are essential to building a robust radiation safety culture from the earliest stages of a healthcare career.