[Radiology within the framework of general medicine]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Physics
• Human Genetics

Background:

• Radiology's evolution into an independent medical discipline.
• The inherent risks associated with administering ionizing radiation.
• The critical role of medical radiologists in radiation safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the necessity of medical radiologists overseeing ionizing radiation administration.
• To highlight the importance of caution regarding increasing radiation doses.
• To advocate for enhanced training and interdisciplinary collaboration in radiology.

Main Methods:

• Review of the concept of radiology as a basic medical discipline.
• Analysis of the administration of ionizing radiation to human subjects.
• Examination of trends in genetically significant radiation doses.

Main Results:

• Ionizing radiation administration should be exclusively managed by medical radiologists.
• The genetically significant dose in Switzerland doubled between 1957 and 1971.
• Despite the increase, doses remained within acceptable limits, necessitating extreme caution.

Conclusions:

• Medical radiology holds a crucial responsibility for human genetics concerning ionizing radiation.
• Controlling radiation dangers requires both technical precautions and physician education.
• Improving radiologic procedure efficiency depends on enhanced training and interdisciplinary coordination, addressing personnel shortages.