Content and style of radiation risk communication for pediatric patients

Joshua S Broder; Donald P Frush

doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2013.10.003

Content and style of radiation risk communication for pediatric patients

J Am Coll Radiol. 2014 Mar;11(3):238-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.10.003.

Authors

Joshua S Broder¹, Donald P Frush²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Electronic address: joshua.broder@dm.duke.edu.
² Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

PMID: 24589396
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.10.003

Abstract

The diagnostic benefits of medical imaging, including CT, must be weighed against the risks of ionizing radiation and communicated effectively to patients. Health care providers requesting and performing these examinations have a shared responsibility for this risk-benefit discussion. Effective and balanced communication of these risks requires style as well as content mastery. Fundamentals of communication are similar for all patients, but special attention is needed in the pediatric setting.

Keywords: CT; Communication; children; pediatrics; radiation; radiation risk.

MeSH terms

Child
Communication*
Humans
Informed Consent*
Patient Education as Topic / methods*
Pediatrics / methods*
Radiation Injuries / etiology*
Radiation Injuries / prevention & control
Radiation Protection / methods*
Risk Assessment / methods
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / adverse effects*
United States