Awareness of radiology staff in Saudi Arabia regarding patient privacy, ethical, and legal implications of sharing medical imaging on online platforms

Abstract

Background The digitization of radiology through online platforms has introduced significant challenges in maintaining patient privacy and complying with ethical and legal standards, particularly in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving healthcare system. Aim To assess the awareness levels of radiology professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding patient privacy, ethical responsibilities, and legal implications of sharing medical imaging on digital platforms. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 293 radiology staff, including Radiologists and Radiologic Technologists, using a structured online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t -tests, and ANOVA. Results Participants demonstrated moderate awareness across all domains (mean scores ~3.1–3.2 on a 5-point scale). Radiologists reported significantly higher awareness than Technologists ( p < 0.0001). Awareness also increased with years of experience and varied by region, with the Central region showing the highest scores. Conclusion Despite moderate overall awareness, significant disparities highlight the need for targeted training and policy reinforcement to ensure consistent compliance with privacy, ethical, and legal standards in digital radiology.

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