Health Imaging: How to effectively communicate radiation risks, benefits

By Melissa Rohman

Effective communication between medical imaging providers and pediatric patients and guardians about radiation risks remains problematic, despite improvements in imaging technology and protocol optimization, according to an article published online in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

According to lead author Nima Kasraie, PhD, a medical physicist at Children's Mercy Kansas City, ineffectively communicating the benefits and risks of diagnostic imaging may result in serious consequences. Recent survey results have shown that only one in five of patients have discussed these topics with medical imaging providers, according to authors.

"Without dialogue between patients or their guardians and imaging professionals, patient dissatisfaction (at best) or medical errors (at worst) can ensue, leading to potential consequences as severe as litigation and negative publicity for the facility and providers involved," Kasraie et al. wrote.

Ultimately, radiation risk communication lies in the hands of the medical imaging profession, the authors wrote, and must be proactively executed to ensure an accurate diagnostic and efficient decision-making process.

To alleviate concerns about radiation exposure risks, imaging providers must provide reasonable alternatives, establish trust, simplify medical jargon, adhere to clinical appropriateness criteria and utilize technology, according to the authors.

Read the full article via Health Imaging. 

Learn more about the services offered through Children's Mercy Medical Imaging Department.