The European Society of Radiology (ESR) is highlighting the release of the first common strategic research agenda for radiation protection, published online on 15 February in Insights into Imaging.
The document is a collaboration between the ESR and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), the European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (EFOMP), the European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO).
The five societies identified research areas considered "most urgent for effective medical care and efficient in terms of radiation protection" for the first edition of the agenda. These areas include the following:
- Measurement and quantification in the field of medical applications of ionizing radiation
- Normal tissue reactions, radiation-induced morbidity, and long-term health problems
- Optimization of radiation exposure and harmonization of practices
- Justification of the use of ionizing radiation in medical practice
- Infrastructures for quality assurance
The paper "represents a huge milestone towards promoting research in medical radiation protection for improved patient and staff safety," the ECR said in a statement on its website.
