Webinar: Communicating radiation risks in paediatric imaging

The ISRRT has this invitation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to share with our members: You are invited to this special event from the Geneva Learning Foundation, please register on the below link and participate in this important event.

Wednesday 3 March 2021, 12:00 AEDT

(Tuesday 2 March 2021, 7:00am CST)

Dr María del Rosario Perez from WHO and Dr Don Frush from Image Gently to explore why and how families need risk-benefit discussions about paediatric imaging.

The use of radiation in paediatric imaging saves lives – the clinical value of imaging involving the use of radiation for the diagnosis of paediatric illness and injury is unquestionable.

While every day applications of X-rays for medical imaging help millions of patients worldwide, inappropriate use may result in unnecessary and preventable radiation risks, particularly in children. A balanced approach is needed that recognizes the multiple health benefits, while addressing and minimizing health risks.

Patients and families should have access to risk-benefit discussions about paediatric imaging when, where, and in the way they need to best understand the information and to be able to use it for making informed choices.

Accurate and effective radiation risk communication is also necessary between health care providers who request or perform radiological medical procedures in children.

By enabling informed decision-making, effective radiation risk communication contributes to ensure the greatest possible benefit of paediatric imaging, at the lowest possible risk.

Please review the executive summary for the WHO guidance document:

Communicating radiation risks in paediatric imaging: Information to support healthcare discussions about benefit and risk.

It covers:

• different approaches to establish dialogue in clinical settings including communication with the paediatric patient;
• practical tips to support the risk–benefit discussion;
• ethical issues related to the communication of radiation risks in paediatric imagingconcepts and principles of radiation protection, how they are applied to paediatric imaging; and
• key factors needed to establish and maintain a radiation safety culture in health care to improve practice.