Image Gently Chair Urges Radiation Reduction to IAEA

Image Gently^® Alliance Chair Donald Frush, MD, FACR, in two presentations, recently told International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting attendees why radiologist-led radiation reduction and clear, honest communication to patients and providers about imaging risk vs. benefits matters more than ever.

Dr. Frush emphasized that medical imaging is an essential part of modern healthcare, but benefits should outweigh the risks for every scan that uses radiation, and that this can be accomplished through both justification and optimization.

Radiology teams primarily manage optimization—keeping doses as low as reasonable—while justification is a shared responsibility of the imaging team, providers and patients to help decide when imaging is needed. This decision incorporates accurate, easily understood information including from radiologists and allied professionals. 

Dr. Frush’s IAEA presentations will be highlighted in more detail in a Voice of Radiology Blog post in the April 4 Advocacy in Action.

For more information or if you have questions, contact Shawn Farley, ACR Sr. Director of Public Affairs.