Radiographers' and radiology practitioners' opinion, experience and practice of benefit-risk communication and consent in paediatric imaging J.L. Portelli a, b, * , J.P. McNulty b , P. Bezzina a , L. Rainford b a Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta b Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland article info Article history: Received 2 July 2016 Received in revised form 12 August 2016 Accepted 15 August 2016 Available online xxx Keywords: Benefit-risk communication Patient information Radiographerepatient interaction Paediatric radiography Paediatric imaging Consent abstract Objectives: To investigate radiographers' and radiology practitioners' opinion, experience and practice of radiation benefit-risk communication and consent for paediatric imaging examinations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst radiographers and radiology practitioners working at a primary paediatric referral centre in Malta, so as to acquire information about their in- teractions with paediatric patients and/or their parents, particularly their opinion and practice of communicating benefit-risk information and seeking consent for imaging examinations. Results: The return of 112 questionnaires provided a response rate of 66.7%. Findings revealed varied practice relating to the provision of benefit-risk information, whereby details concerning examination benefits and potential risks are not always conveyed. For 89% of participants, parental consent was sought for paediatric imaging examinations in their current practice. Only 36.7% of participants indicated that they were highly confident in their ability to communicate benefit-risk information. The study findings also revealed that parents can truly be worried about the associated radiation exposure, with some even refusing an imaging examination as a result of such concerns. Conclusions: The practice of communicating benefit-risk information to paediatric patients and/or their parents is varied. A possible gap in benefit-risk communication education and/or training was identified, which may impact radiographers' and radiology practitioners' confidence in conveying such information. Education/training activities for radiographers and radiology practitioners are therefore necessary to foster improved benefit-risk dialogues and help provide reassurance to parents/guardians about the benefits of appropriately indicated paediatric imaging examinations. © 2016 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Introduction Since there is still much scientific uncertainty relating to the risks of low radiation dose exposures commonly associated with most medical imaging examinations (<100 mSv), 1,2 it is not sur- prising that any study, report or opinion suggesting any increased risk will generate substantial interest. This was evident recently when large population studies in the United Kingdom, Australia and Taiwan similarly reported a very small, albeit increased, risk in the number of observed brain cancers and/or leukaemia in patients who had undergone a computed tomography (CT) scan when they were younger. 3e5 Indeed, despite significant limitations noted in such studies, 6,7 considerable media attention was drawn to these findings, with some choosing to over dramatise the reported findings so as to raise safety concerns about the use of CT scans in children. 8e10 In times where information is so easily accessible, such coverage can raise alarm and concern amongst those who are referred for any medical imaging examination. Similarly, it may raise concern amongst parents of children being referred for medical imaging examinations, particularly since they might already be over- whelmed, confused and worried about the wellbeing of their child. 8 It is in this context that radiographers and radiologists have an important responsibility to fulfil when meeting with patients and/ * Corresponding author. Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2090, Malta. E-mail addresses: jonathan.portelli@um.edu.mt (J.L. Portelli), jonathan. mcnulty@ucd.ie (J.P. McNulty), paul.bezzina@um.edu.mt (P. Bezzina), louise. rainford@ucd.ie (L. Rainford). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Radiography journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/radi http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2016.08.005 1078-8174/© 2016 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Radiography xxx (2016) 1e8 Please cite this article in press as: Portelli JL, et al., Radiographers' and radiology practitioners' opinion, experience and practice of benefit-risk communication and consent in paediatric imaging, Radiography (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2016.08.005