It is a patient’s right to be informed on the benefits and risks of the procedure he/she will be undergoing. The Euratom/2013/59 directive strengthens this requirement in article 57 1(d) in relation to the benefits and risks associated with the radiation dose from a medical exposure with ionising radiation. However, it is not self-evident to bring this requirement into practice. The purpose of this project was to provide the Belgian departments performing X-rays procedures, with the necessary guidance and material to inform patients and to...

The Euratom/2013/59 directive article 57 1(d) requirement has been transposed into the Belgian legislation in the royal decree published on the 13th of February 2020(1). Two departments of radiology (OLV hospital Aalst-Asse-Ninove and UZ Leuven) have developed together with the Belgian radiation protection competent authority, FANC, a toolkit that aims to help an imaging department implement the aspect of informing their patients: the legislative point of view, guidance in introducing the concept of informing patients in the healthcare pathway, solutions for frequently occurring issues, supporting...

The toolkit is available in Dutch and French and consists of a manual, brochures and posters, educational material and information sheets. It focuses on the use of X-rays in conventional, CT and interventional settings for informing both patients and possible carers and comforters. The manual serves as a guideline to introduce the concepts in a department. It contains the necessary information on the legislation, references to supporting material, solutions for frequently occurring issues (e.g. on the role of referrers, on minors presenting without their parents,...

The toolkit has been implemented in a few hospitals and the first educational sessions have taken place. There is a big demand. The content of the educational session has also been integrated in at least one basic education program for the training of radiographers. After introduction of the brochures and posters in the radiology department of the OLV hospital, following the procedures suggested by the toolkit, the radiographers do not feel more questioned by the patients on the topic of radiation protection. Unfortunately, the COVID-19...

(1) Koninklijk besluit van 13 februari 2020 betreffende de medische blootstellingen en blootstellingen bij niet-medische beeldvorming met medisch-radiologische uitrustingen http://www.jurion.fanc.fgov.be/jurdb-consult/consultatieLink?wettekstId=27814&appLang=nl&wettekstLang=nl

K. Van Slambrouck: Nothing to disclose H. Bosmans: Nothing to disclose P. Aerts: Nothing to disclose