Getting the right image for my patient

On the International Day of Radiology the 8th of November 2019, a European communication campaign “Getting the right image for my patient” is launched in 19 countries. 

Its aim is to raise awareness on the appropriate use of medical radiological examinations.

This campaign is addressed to medical doctors across Europe who request radiological examinations for their patients in their daily practice. Radiological examinations have proven to be very effective for diagnosis and treatment in modern medicine. However, they expose the patient to ionising radiation that may cause a health detriment.

In principle, a medical radiological examination should be of benefit for the patient. However, a number of studies in European countries have shown that a considerable number of radiological examinations are not necessary and therefore of no benefit for the patients. For this reason HERCA organised in 2016 a European “action week” focused on the inspection of the appropriateness of radiological examinations in radiology departments. The conclusions from this “action week” highlighted the need to increase the awareness among professionals on the appropriate use of medical imaging.

The basic campaign material is a set of seven key questions for the medical doctors when requesting a radiological examination. Their objective is to increase the awareness of the medical doctors on available tools. They will also provide knowledge which can help either to effectively choose the appropriate radiological examination for the patient or to choose an alternative way forward. These questions will also help the medical doctors to communicate with the patient when a radiological examination is concerned. The patient would benefit of  the right diagnosis with the right examination, will start the right treatment without delay and will avoid any unnecessary examinations that will be of no benefit.

The individual national campaigns are adapted to national needs, while building on the common basic material developed by HERCA.

The common material as well as links to national campaign pages can be found on the HERCA website.

By raising awareness for the proper use of medical radiological examinations, HERCA also expect not only to lead to improved radiation protection, but also to contribute to an overall improvement of health care in its member states.