Ionising radiation exposure from medical imaging – A review of Patient's (un) awareness

Abstract

Introduction: Medical imaging is the main source of artificial radiation exposure. Evidence, however, suggests that patients are poorly informed about radiation exposure when attending diagnostic scans. This review provides an overview of published literature with a focus on nuclear medicine patients on the level of awareness of radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging. Methods: A review of available literature on awareness, knowledge and perception of ionising radiation in medical imaging was conducted. Articles that met the inclusion criteria were subjected to critical appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: 140 articles identified and screened for eligibility, 24 critically assessed and 4 studies included in synthesis. All studies demonstrated that patients were generally lacking awareness about radiation exposure and highlighted a lack of communication between healthcare professionals and patients with respect to radiation exposure. Conclusion: Studies demonstrate a need to better inform patients about their radiation exposure, and further studies focusing on nuclear medicine patients are particularly warranted. Implications for practice: Adequate and accurate information is crucial to ensure the principle of informed consent is present.

Knowledge of radiation protection among radiology professionals and students: A medical college-based study

“…It is their responsibility to spread awareness regarding wise use of radiation not only among other staffs in radiology department but also among the patients and the public [10]. Therefore, radiation awareness is a must to ensure rational use of ionizing radiation in medicine [13].…”

Communicating Radiation Risk to Patients: Experiences Among Radiographers in Norway

“…During the last decade, risk communication related to the use of radiation in medical imaging has become more important and there have been several publications on the subject. [1][2][3][4] Risk communication can be defined as information about the recommended examinations, benefits and risks, and alternative imaging methods. 5 For the patients to make an informed decision this must be known to the patients, and also the risks occurring if they decided not to attend the examination.…”

“…5 For the patients to make an informed decision this must be known to the patients, and also the risks occurring if they decided not to attend the examination. 4 The patients themselves also want information concerning radiation doses and potential risks, related to their diagnostic x-ray examination. 2,4 Both referrers, radiologists, and radiographers should be able to give information about doses and risks to the patients.…”

“…4 The patients themselves also want information concerning radiation doses and potential risks, related to their diagnostic x-ray examination. 2,4 Both referrers, radiologists, and radiographers should be able to give information about doses and risks to the patients. However, the radiographer is most likely to provide information during the examination.…”

Radiation exposure awareness from patients undergoing nuclear medicine diagnostic 99mTc-MDP bone scans and 2-deoxy-2-(18F) fluoro-D-glucose PET/computed tomography scans

“…Our recent review conducted to identify existing literature on radiation exposure awareness of patients when undergoing nuclear medicine diagnostic scans concluded that across medical imaging there is a lack of knowledge from patients. In addition, there is a general underestimation from health professionals on ionising radiation exposure with a need for improvement in communication between professionals and patients [11].…”