Speaker
Description
Background:
Accurate radiation dose assessment is central to effective management of radiological emergencies. While dosimeter technologies are widely available, their structured operational integration into multidisciplinary emergency response systems remains limited. Bridging this gap requires standardized training that translates dosimetry principles into applied clinical and field decision-making.
Bridging this gap requires standardized training that translates dosimetry principles into applied clinical and field decision-making.
dosimetry principles into applied clinical and field decision-making.dosimetry principles into applied clinical
Objective:
To describe the national implementation and system-level impact of a structured CBRN training program in Kuwait integrating practical dosimeter applications and radiation dose management into emergency preparedness frameworks.
Methods:
Following certification through the European Union Centres of Excellence (EU CoE) Trainer-of-Trainers program, a multidisciplinary national faculty was established, including emergency physicians, nuclear medicine physicians, medical physicists, nuclear medicine technologists, nurses, and EMS specialists.
A standardized 18-hour curriculum was implemented across seven tertiary hospitals and national training centers. The program combined didactic instruction, hands-on dosimeter workshops, tabletop exercises, and high-fidelity simulation scenarios.
Core operational components included:
Real-time use of personal electronic dosimeters
Dose rate interpretation and exposure threshold recognition
External versus internal dose assessment principles
Integration of dosimetry data into triage algorithms
Radiation monitoring workflows and interagency communication
Structured documentation of dose metrics in clinical pathways
Program evaluation assessed training reach, workflow adherence, and operational readiness in radiation dose management.
Results:
Approximately 1,000 multidisciplinary responders completed the program. Simulation-based assessments demonstrated improved competency in dosimeter handling, dose interpretation, and radiation-informed triage decisions. Multiregional deployment enabled identification of system-level gaps in calibration protocols, equipment distribution, and standardized dose reporting, informing targeted capacity-building measures.
Conclusion:
Structured integration of dosimeter applications within national CBRN training strengthens radiation safety performance and operational dose management. The Kuwaiti model offers a scalable framework for translating dosimetry science into sustainable emergency preparedness systems.