ICRP Publication 113: Education and Training in Radiological Protection for Diagnostic and Interventional Procedures

The number of diagnostic and interventional medical procedures using ionising radiations is steadily rising, and procedures resulting in higher patient and staff doses are being performed more frequently. The need for education and training of medical staff (including medical students) and other healthcare professionals in the principles of radiation protection is therefore now even more compelling that in the past.

The Commission has made basic recommendations for such education and training of these individuals in ICRP Publications 103 and 105. The present publication expands considerably on these basic recommendations with regard to various categories of medical practitioners, and other healthcare professionals that perform or provide support for diagnostic and interventional procedures utilising ionising radiation and nuclear medicine therapy. It provides guidance regarding the necessary radiological protection education and training for use by:

• cognisant regulators, health authorities, medical institutions, and professional bodies with responsibility for radiological protection in medicine;
• the industry that produces and markets the equipment used in these procedures; and,
• universities and other academic institutions responsible for the education of professionals involved in the use of ionising radiation in healthcare.

In the context of this publication, the term education refers to imparting knowledge and understanding on the topics of radiation health effects, radiation quantities and units, principles of radiological protection, radiological protection legislation and the factors in practice that affect patient and staff doses. Such education should be part of the curriculum in pursuit of medical, dental and other healthcare degrees, and for specialists such as radiologists, medical physicists and radiographers as part of the curriculum of postgraduate degrees. The term training refers to providing instruction with regard to radiological protection for the justified application of the specific ionising radiation modalities (e.g. CT, fluoroscopy) that a medical practitioner or other healthcare or support professional will utilise in that individual’s role during medical practice.

Advice is also provided on the accreditation and certification of the recommended education and training. In the context of this publication, the term accreditation means that an organisation has been approved by an authorised body to provide education or training on the radiological protection aspects of the use of diagnostic or interventional radiation procedures in medicine. The accredited organisation is required to meet standards that have been set by the authorised body.

The term certification means that an individual medical or clinical professional has successfully completed the education or training provided by an accredited organisation for the diagnostic or interventional procedures to be practiced by the individual. The individual must demonstrate competence in the subject matter in a manner required by the accredited body.