Do Physicians Correctly Estimate Radiation Risks from Medical Imaging?

Abstract

Proper use of medical imaging tools requires knowledge of their associated radiation risks, as well as their possible benefits. The authors assessed physicians' knowledge of the radiation risks associated with bone scintigraphy (bone scan) during an annual meeting of the Israeli Orthopedic Society. The mortality risk of radiation-induced carcinoma from bone scan was identified correctly by less than 5% of respondents. The most frequent answer (38.4%) was the option that was least correct. Senior orthopedists estimated lower risks than did residents. Overall, respondents grossly underestimated the potential radiation risk from bone scan.

Keywords:

• bone scan
• cancer risk
• medical imaging
• radiation
• scintigraphy