This study aimed to examine the role activities of certified nurses (CNs) in radiation oncology nursing and relevant factors. We invited 310 CNs in radiation oncology nursing, listed on the Japanese Nursing Association website, to complete a self-administered questionnaire (online or printed). From the 310 CNs, we received 205 CNs responses, of which 199 CNs working in hospitals were analyzed (64.2% valid response rate). Among the 18 activity items (9 on practice activities, 7 on interdepartmental activities, and 2 on interorganizational activities), CNs working in departments other than radiology have significantly lower scores in 11 of the items than CNs working in radiology departments. The total activity time was significantly associated with working in radiology departments (odds ratio=9.76, 95% confidence interval=4.43 to 21.53, p<.001). Moreover, the total activity time significantly correlated with 12 activity items, including care before and during radiotherapy, multidisciplinary approach, and problem-solving for ethical issues. Our results suggest that CNs in radiation oncology nursing need to be appropriately assigned to departments that frequently provide radiation therapy and be supported to ensure adequate time allocation to role activities that fully utilize their expertise.

In Japan, the criticality accident at a uranium processing plant in 1999 and the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, triggered a review of the existing medical system for radiation exposure and led to the establishment of a new nuclear disaster medical care system in Japan. This system stipulates the allocation of nurses, however; there is no clear description of the roles and specific competencies required of nurses in nuclear disaster medical care. The aim of this study was to clarify nursing roles in nuclear disaster medical care by summarizing descriptions of nursing practices and roles during nuclear disasters reported in the literature to date. From eight selected articles, 182 data points were extracted and categorized using the KJ affinity-mapping method. Nursing practices were categorized as “Before Patient Admission” and “After Patient Admission”. “Before Patient Admission” was further classified into the categories of “General: Admission Preparation” and “Nuclear Disaster: Admission Preparation”, whereas “After Patient Admission” was classified into “General: Cure”, “Nuclear Disaster: Cure”, “General: Care”, “Nuclear Disaster: Care”, “General: System Establishment”, and “Nuclear Disaster: Radiation Management”. Nursing concepts were classified into the categories of “Leadership Role”, “Acquisition of Specialized Knowledge”, “Coordination”, “Radiation Protection”, and “Risk Assessment and Risk Communication”.

With the reduction of the equivalent dose limit to the lens of the eye, effective management of occupational radiation exposure is imperative. This study, as one of the approaches to radiation visualization based on actual measurements, conducted a phantom study using a self-made lead pinhole camera to identify the source of scattered X-rays in general radiography, computed tomography (CT) examinations, and interventional radiology procedures. The aim is to obtain materials to optimize protection against scattered X-rays. In addition to patient phantoms, considerable X-rays were found to emanate from equipment components such as the diaphragm cover of the X-ray tube, bed, and mylar ring (the window of the gantry aperture) of the CT equipment. Recommendations include implementing more appropriate protective measures, such as improving the standing position of medical staff and adjusting how protective shield is used. Future research will quantify the pinhole image and develop the real-time visualization of pinhole images.