Ionizing radiation and radiation protection

Abstract Ionizing radiation continues to revolutionize the diagnostic process in medicine. However, it comes with risks to patients and staff. The amount of radiation patients receive is rising, mainly due to the use of high-dose examinations such as computed tomography and image-guided interventional procedures. In some countries, the amount of radiation a population receives from medical use is already larger than that from natural background radiation. A basic knowledge of radiation effects on the human body and radiation protection principles enables clinicians to assess potential risks associated with ionizing radiation and guides the choice of investigation.