title: Radiation safety.
abstract: Diagnostic radiology procedures, such as computed tomography (CT) and X-ray, are an increasing source of ionising radiation exposure to our community. Exposure to ionising radiation is associated with increased risk of malignancy, proportional to the level of exposure. Every diagnostic test using ionising radiation needs to be justified by clinical need. General practitioners need a working knowledge of radiation safety so they can adequately inform their patients of the risks and benefits of diagnostic imaging procedures.
authors.affiliation: Bendigo Health, Bendigo, Victoria. sskinner@bendigohealth.org.au
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skinner
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data