Resources for Patients and Referring Practitioners
For Patients
As a patient, you may have concerns about the imaging procedures prescribed for you. How much medical radiation is too much? What are the benefits of CT scans? Does my age or gender affect my risk? What are the risks? For answers to these questions and more, visit the following links on the RadiologyInfo.org website:
For pediatric radiation safety information, visit ImageGently.org.
Concerned about radiation?
Before you receive a medical imaging exam, ask your doctor these important safety questions:
- How will this exam improve my care?
- Are there alternative imaging exams that don't use radiation?
Resources
For Referring Practitioners
Referring physicians and other health care providers need reliable information to help manage their patients’ imaging needs. Consulting with your radiologist colleagues can help you and your patients make informed imaging decisions.
In addition, please use the resources below for medical information that addresses imaging-related questions.
And be sure to Take the Pledge to Image Wisely!
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What imaging exam should be ordered?
- Bettman, Kurth. Selecting the Right Test and Relative Radiation Dose as They Relate to Appropriateness Criteria.
- American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria
Q: What are considerations for imaging pregnant patients?
- Coakley, Cody, Mahesh. The Pregnant Patient: Alternatives to CT and Dose Saving Modifications to CT Technique.
- ACR–SPR PRACTICE PARAMETER FOR IMAGING PREGNANT OR POTENTIALLY PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS AND WOMEN WITH IONIZING RADIATION
- “Can the exams hurt the baby of a pregnant woman?” page at RadiologyInfo.org
Q: What are considerations for imaging children?
- Hernanz-Schulman. Pediatric CT and Image Gently.
- ACR Practice Parameters & Technical Standards in Pediatric Radiology
- Children’s Imaging page at RadiologyInfo.org
Q: What are considerations for patients that require periodic imaging?
- Birnbaum. "Radiation Safety in the Era of Helical CT: A Patient-Based Protection Program Currently in Place in Two Community Hospitals in New Hampshire", Journal of the American College of Radiology, June 2008: 714-718.
- American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria
- I've had many CT scans. Should I be concerned? page at RadiologyInfo.org
Q: When are ultrasound and MR imaging appropriate?
- Levine. Use of Ultrasound as an Alternative to CT. Image Wisely.
- Martin. Diagnostic Imaging of Thoracic-Abdominal-Pelvis Diseases: The Role for MRI as a High Diagnostic Yield, Safe, and Cost-Effective Alternative to CT.
- American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria
Q: When are low dose screening exams appropriate?
- Screening and Wellness page at RadiologyInfo.org
- Are screening exams worthwhile? page at RadiologyInfo.org
Q: What is an ACR Accredited Imaging Facility?
- Zeman, Buler. Why Seek Accreditation of Your CT Program?
- Find an accredited imaging facility in your area
Q: What are the benefits and risks of radiation used in diagnostic imaging?
- Patient Safety page at RadiologyInfo.org
- What are the benefits of CT scans? page at RadiologyInfo.org
- Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams page at RadiologyInfo.org
- Peck, Samei. How to Understand and Communicate Radiation Risk.