Informed consent: Communicating radiation risk

Abstract

The benefits and risks of any medical procedure must be understood by patients or research volunteers so that they can make personally appropriate decisions. The method of communicating this information is called "informed consent". This process requires dialog between patient and provider that is documented by notes in the medical record as well as a specific consent document. Radiation induced stochastic or deterministic injuries are seldom the only high-severity risks associated with a clinical or research procedure. Radiation risks should be neither under nor over emphasized. All applicable risks need to be put into perspective, adjusted to the patient's individual health status, and presented in a way that both the practitioner and patient can understand. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.