The importance of education and training in reducing patient doses

Abstract

Education and training in radiological protection of patients is an important part of a quality assurance program and it is recognised that the knowledge in radiation protection helps prescriber to a correct indication to procedures and practitioner to design and conduct an optimised examination. In the European Union, the international recommendations have been translated in the European Directive 97/43/Euratom asking proper education and training for professionals involved in medical exposures, both for diagnosis and therapy. International and European guidelines, together with guidelines proposed by international and national bodies and associations, are helping institutions to set up education and training programs. Several experiences and research projects have demonstrated the impact on reduction of patient doses when a quality assurance and training program in radiation protection has been conducted.