Medical Imaging Controversy Discussion

Name

Professor name

Subject

Date

Medical imaging controversy

Medical imaging is a controversial topic due to the potential risks that might offset anticipated benefits. False positive results, radiation risks, incidental findings and over diagnosis are common risks that make medical imaging controversial. It is argued that radiologists must inform the patients about the diagnostic consequences. Patients are mostly explained the anticipated benefits only which impacts the decision making of the patients. Image-based screening is used for cancer screening and surveillance of patients. Image based screening is recommended to the patients who are suffering from the risks of cancer. The controversy states that the adverse implications of this technology are unknown to the people which is against patients autonomy and will CITATION Dia14 \l 1033 (Lam, Pandharipande and Lee).

The opponents of medical imaging claims that it is unethical to convince patients for this screening without explaining them the risks of such methods. There are some adverse outcomes or consequences of this diagnostic procedures which suggests giving patients complete knowledge. Hospitals and doctors have a responsibility to share complete knowledge about the diagnostic methods that involve benefits and negative consequences CITATION Edi11 \l 1033 (Silva). Keeping them uninformed about the outcomes is for convincing them to choose screenings. It is found that the radiations used in these advanced methods have deteriorating impacts on human beings such as it damages human cells. Imaging like CT scan causes direct damages to human cells, which can later affect the immunity of human beings who have undergone such procedures. Most of the patients who choose imaging are unaware of such repercussions and make decision under the influence of physicians advise. A study conducted by the Harvard Health institute revealed that, “ionizing radiation can damage DNA, and although your cells repair most of the damage, they sometimes do the job imperfectly, leaving small areas of "misrepair” CITATION Har181 \l 1033 (Harvard). The controversy thus states that imaging could be destructive because it will cause many other complications.

CT scanning and nuclear imaging has become a routine practice in United States that involve larger radiation doses. Evidence suggests, “a chest x-ray, for example, delivers 0.1 mSv, while a chest CT delivers 7 mSv” CITATION Har181 \l 1033 (Harvard). Such high radiation causes changes in the DNA and damages cells that can affect human health in old age. Radiators justify this controversy by saying that the benefits supersede risks. But the opponents claims that the choice must be in the hand of patients. Whatever decision they take must be based on their knowledge of benefits and risks. More frequent radiation screening poses greater risks for the patients that later undermine their immunity.

Imaging is undermining patients autonomy because most of them are making decisions under influence of their doctors and hospital policies. Patients autonomy is neglected by the healthcare providers when they fail to educate the patients about the benefits and risks of radiation technology. Their belief that informing about the risks will discourage patients for undergoing advanced screenings has threatened patient’s autonomy CITATION Dia14 \l 1033 (Lam, Pandharipande and Lee). Another argument states that inability of offering complete information also undermines freedom of the patient. A patient can make a free decision only when he is well aware about the consequences of imaging.

The controversy about imaging claims that patients who are recommended radiation imaging must be given complete information about the procedures, its costs and implications. Most of the patients that undergo frequent nuclear radiations are unaware of the adverse outcomes that include damaged cells and DNA. To resolve this controversy the doctors must share knowledge about the outcomes and allow patient to make decisions will free will.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Harvard. "Radiation risk from medical imaging." Harvard Healh Publishing (2018).

Lam, Diana L., Pari V. Pandharipande and Christoph I. Lee. "Imaging-Based Screening: Understanding the Controversies." AJR 203.5 (2014): 952-956.

Silva, Edibaldo. "Current Controversies on the Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Management of Breast Cancer." World Journal of Oncology 2.3 (2011): 89-93.