How to effectively communicate radiation risks, benefits in pediatric imaging

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 March 16 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.  

According to lead author Nima Kasraie, PhD, a medical physicist at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, 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.  

Simplifying the concept of risks with a patient's guardians may help generate open, effective and trusting communication to ease anxiety or unwillingness to undergo diagnostic testing. An imaging provider's tonality and perception management of radiation risk can also be reassuring. 

"Providers can establish trust through showing genuine concern for patients’ conditions, fears, and anxieties and by establishing their interest in getting patients both the best care possible and the right care for them as individuals," the authors explained. 

Adhering to clinical appropriateness criteria also leads to effective communication by placing the patient's safety ahead of concerns about a radiologist’s financial gain.  

Limiting the use of medical jargon, describing risk using familiar comparisons, utilizing technology for communication and clarity, providing visual aids and information handouts, and being aware of the often biased or sensationalized portrayals of medical imaging and radiation risks in the media also may generate effective communication.  

"Evidence-based guidelines provide tools for radiologists to communicate with patients and families as well as referring colleagues, both to prevent inappropriate imaging and to facilitate appropriate examinations," the authors wrote. "Transparency and adherence to established scientific principles and professional standards helps build trust by creating credibility for providers in the eyes of their patients."  

Kasraie and colleagues concluded that effective communication transcends the patient and physician relationship and starts with being present among various health care professionals and departments, which can "improve selection and ordering of the best imaging study for a given clinical indication and can help providers outside radiologic specialties to better understand imaging protocols, techniques and practices."