TY - JOUR T1 - Subjective Perception of Radiation Risk JF - Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO - J Nucl Med SP - 29S LP - 35S DO - 10.2967/jnumed.110.085720 VL - 52 IS - Supplement 2 AU - Lutz S. Freudenberg AU - Thomas Beyer Y1 - 2011/12/01 UR - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/52/Supplement_2/29S.abstract N2 - Physicians, medical staff, and patients, much like the general population, are becoming increasingly sensitized to the issue of radiation exposure from diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The attitudes of patients undergoing diagnostic imaging procedures that use ionizing radiation vary widely. Patient perception of radiation dose strongly influences their acceptance of diagnostic examinations or therapies involving radioactivity. Here, we review perceptions and concerns about radiation and radioactivity by laypersons and medical experts. Several studies show that physicians are frequently poorly informed about radiation levels associated with nuclear medicine and radiologic examinations. In addition, patients’ decisions against undergoing an imaging procedure are frequently based on partial and sometimes incorrect information. Thus, physicians must take the concerns of their patients seriously. From the literature and our own experience, we conclude that it is extremely important to thoroughly and carefully educate all involved in patient work-up about radiation exposure levels and perceived or actual health risks. Although the choice and timing of imaging examinations should always outweigh the risk that secondary illness will develop, the patients’ concerns still must be alleviated. ER -