Nurses’ radiation protection behaviour: a concept analysis using Walker and Avant’s method
Abstract
BackgroundNurses in radiation-exposed clinical areas, particularly interventional catheterisation laboratories and operating rooms, face occupational radiation risk and also influence patients’ exposure. However, “nurses’ radiation protection behaviour” is used inconsistently and often overlaps with knowledge, attitudes and adherence, leaving its conceptual boundaries unclear. This paper aims to undertake a concept analysis of nurses’ radiation protection behaviour.MethodsA framework based on Walker and Avant’s stages of concept analysis was used. Literature was accessed via Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI and SinoMed, combining nurse-related and radiation-protection search terms. Of 3,979 records identified, 2,604 remained after duplicates were removed, and 42 studies were included in the final analysis to determine the uses, attributes, antecedents and consequences of the concept.ResultsFive attributes were identified: self-protective behaviour; patient-protective behaviour; organisational–environmental maintenance behaviour; cognitive–collaborative behaviour; and health self-management behaviour. Antecedents included cognitive, behavioural-cost and resource/organisational factors, while consequences included radiation-related health and dose outcomes and improved patient safety and radiation safety culture.ConclusionThis concept analysis has clarified the meaning of nurses’ radiation protection behaviour and presents a working definition and conceptual model. These findings can improve understanding and communication of the concept in practice, education and research, and provide a foundation for future application and measurement-tool development.
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BibTeX
@article{han2026nurses,
title = {{Nurses’ radiation protection behaviour: a concept analysis using Walker and Avant’s method}},
author = {Shuhui Han and Zhengxian Liao and Cuiwei Lai and Xiaofan Huang and Dixiong Liu and Sihong Yao and Yanmei Zhuo and Meilan Yang and Si’ai Zhang},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.2019984},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.2019984},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nurses’ radiation protection behaviour: a concept analysis using Walker and Avant’s method
AU - Shuhui Han
AU - Zhengxian Liao
AU - Cuiwei Lai
AU - Xiaofan Huang
AU - Dixiong Liu
AU - Sihong Yao
AU - Yanmei Zhuo
AU - Meilan Yang
AU - Si’ai Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.2019984
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.2019984
AB - BackgroundNurses in radiation-exposed clinical areas, particularly interventional catheterisation laboratories and operating rooms, face occupational radiation risk and also influence patients’ exposure. However, “nurses’ radiation protection behaviour” is used inconsistently and often overlaps with knowledge, attitudes and adherence, leaving its conceptual boundaries unclear. This paper aims to undertake a concept analysis of nurses’ radiation protection behaviour.MethodsA framework based on Walker and Avant’s stages of concept analysis was used. Literature was accessed via Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI and SinoMed, combining nurse-related and radiation-protection search terms. Of 3,979 records identified, 2,604 remained after duplicates were removed, and 42 studies were included in the final analysis to determine the uses, attributes, antecedents and consequences of the concept.ResultsFive attributes were identified: self-protective behaviour; patient-protective behaviour; organisational–environmental maintenance behaviour; cognitive–collaborative behaviour; and health self-management behaviour. Antecedents included cognitive, behavioural-cost and resource/organisational factors, while consequences included radiation-related health and dose outcomes and improved patient safety and radiation safety culture.ConclusionThis concept analysis has clarified the meaning of nurses’ radiation protection behaviour and presents a working definition and conceptual model. These findings can improve understanding and communication of the concept in practice, education and research, and provide a foundation for future application and measurement-tool development.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -