The why, who, how, and what of communicating CT radiation risks to patients and healthcare providers

Nayla Mroueh; Anushri Parakh; Jessica Serrao; Susanna I Lee; Brian H Eisner; Debra A Gervais; Avinash R Kambadakone; Dushyant V Sahani

doi:10.1007/s00261-022-03778-w

The why, who, how, and what of communicating CT radiation risks to patients and healthcare providers

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2023 Apr;48(4):1514-1525. doi: 10.1007/s00261-022-03778-w. Epub 2023 Feb 17.

Authors

Nayla Mroueh^#¹, Anushri Parakh^#¹, Jessica Serrao², Susanna I Lee¹, Brian H Eisner³, Debra A Gervais¹, Avinash R Kambadakone⁴, Dushyant V Sahani⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
² Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of CT, Storrs, CT, 06269-1101, USA.
³ Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. [email protected].
⁵ Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 36799998
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03778-w

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) has witnessed tremendous growth in utilization. Despite its immense benefits, there is a growing concern from the general public and the medical community about the detrimental consequences of ionizing radiation from CT. Anxiety from the perceived risks associated with CT can deter referring physicians from ordering clinically indicated CT scans and patients from undergoing medically necessary exams. This article discusses various strategies for educating patients and healthcare providers on the benefits and risks of CT scanning and salient techniques for effective communication.

Keywords: CT scans; Computed tomography; Radiation exposure; Radiation risks.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Health Personnel*
Humans
Radiation Dosage
Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / adverse effects