Best Practices for Communicating Radiation Exposure Risk to Nuclear Medicine Patients

Objectives Identify accurate radiation exposure levels and cancer risks associated with diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures; Recognize the ethical importance of the principle of informed consent; Identify accessible tools for educating patients about ionizing radiation; Apply shared-decision making principles to a variety of patient circumstances; Discuss current best practices in communicating radiation risk to patients; Support the appropriate use of nuclear medicine procedures.

Methods Research regarding patient risk communication was reviewed and technologists resources were explored to determine best practices of communicating radiation risk to nuclear medicine patients.

Results Health care providers have an inadequate knowledge of patient radiation exposure levels, which are often underestimated. Research reveals numerous risk communication techniques with disagreement on which is most effective. Much depends on patient comprehension. Many online resources are easily available to technologists and patients to help accurately understand the radiation risk imposed during nuclear medicine procedures.

Conclusions More research is needed in this area to determine the most effective practice of risk communication. Nevertheless, the technologist may apply existing risk communication suggestions to a variety of patients.