Informed Consent for Radiation in Interventional Radiology Procedures. Issue 1 (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zener, Rebecca; Johnson, Peter; Wiseman, Daniele; Pandey, Sachin; Mujoomdar, Amol
• Is Part Of: Canadian Association of Radiologists journal. Volume 69:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Informed consent -- Interventional radiology -- Patient-centred care -- Radiation; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Canada -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carj.2017.07.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0846-5371

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the patient perception on radiation-related cancer risk from interventional radiology (IR) procedures and whether informed radiation consent is warranted. Methods: A multiple-choice survey was prospectively administered to 68 adults undergoing a body or neuro-IR procedure with ionizing radiation exposure. Subgroup analysis with chi-square or Fisher exact test was performed based on patient past IR history ( P < .05). Results: A total of 81% of patients wanted to be informed if there was a radiation-related 3% increased cancer risk over 5 years. Although 55% considered 3% a small risk, 28% wanted to further discuss the risks and alternate options, and 15% would have only proceeded if it were a life-saving procedure: 89%, 80%, and 67% of patients wanted to be informed with exposure risks of 1 in 100, 1 in 1000, and 1 in 10, 000, respectively. Only 53% were aware they were going to be exposed to radiation, irrespective of past IR history ( P = .15). Most patients believed radiation consent should include radiation-related cancer risks (85%). No past IR history was significantly associated with wanting consent to include cancer-related risk (100% vs 76%; P = .01) and deterministic risks (70% vs 41%; P = .04). A majority (69%) believed both the referring physician and the interventional radiologist were responsible for obtaining radiation consent, and 65% of patients wanted verbal consent followed by signed written consent, regardless of past IR history. Conclusions: Many patients want to discuss cancer-related radiation risks with both radiologists and physicians. Informed radiation consent should be considered for procedures with high anticipated radiation doses.