Principle and procedure of justification of medical radiation exposure

Lee Jungeun, Kim Hyunji, Lee Hyunkoo
Division of Medical Radiation, Center for Disease Prevention, KCDC
Jung Seung Eun
Department of Radioloy, Eunpyung St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea

Medical application of ionizing radiation has markedly increased. Radiation protection in medicine is based on the principles of justification and optimization. Justification of medical exposure is  different from other principles in that: the justification process is assessed for each individual. The individual’s informed consent is required for every radiation exposure, and exposure is not subject to regulatory dose limits. The action plan for justification includes three As: awareness, appropriateness, and audit. For justification of medical exposure, radiological societies of many countries are developing clinical referral guidelines and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are also developing clinical referral guidelines in cooperation with Korean Society of Radiology. Dissemination and implementation of guidelines are important. Justification of medical radiation in asymptomatic people for individual health assessment is an issue. Education of referring physicians and radiologists is important for justification. National organizations have made a significant effort to regulate and monitor medical radiation exposure using guidelines, accreditation, and even laws. Medical radiation exposure must be controlled, and this could be achieved by continuous participation from health professionals and organizations. Radiological societies play a key role in radiation safety issues in Korea, including guidelines, accreditation, advocacy, scientific activity, and education.

Keywords: Human, Radiation protection, Radiation exposure, Radiology, Accreditation, Diagnostic imaging