A qualitative study conducted in a hemodynamic service in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The objective was to analyze the attitude of nursing staff in relation to in the use of radioprotection measures during interventional procedures. The psychodynamics of work approach was utilized. Such a method has been developed in different stages, namely: demand and pilot study, the research itself, the research material, interpretation method and validation. Altogether, 36 meetings were held between March and November of 2009, totaling approximately 54 hours of observation. Results showed that staff used defensive strategies to justify the misuse, lack of knowledge, or even the failure to use some measures of radioprotection, that were evidenced by the allegations of discomfort and the weight of the lead clothing. It was concluded that certain attitudes adopted by the staff also referred to the lack of a continuing educational program which addressed this issue.
Ionizing radiation; Radiation protection; Interventional radiology
