Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

X-ray Imaging

X-ray Imaging

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with X-rays, and by 1900, X-ray was widely...

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...

Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT

Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and the...

Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography

Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...

The Availability Heuristic

The Availability Heuristic

A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). You can think of these as mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Different types of heuristics are used in different types of situations, and the impulse to use a heuristic occurs when one of five conditions is met (Pratkanis, 1989):

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Obstetrics from the primary care perspective.

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2011

Same author

[Not Available].

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2011

Same author

Issues at the edge of life: a case report.

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2011

Same author

Akathisia.

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2011

Same author

Achieving continuity of care in family medicine training.

Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2011

Same author

Gingival bleeding: initial presentation of prostatic cancer.

The Journal of family practice·1990

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging

Published on: September 11, 2011

The Overutilization of X-rays.

Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien

|February 4, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Excessive use of X-rays poses health risks despite known radiation damage. This paper examines evidence of X-ray overutilization and proposes solutions to mitigate patient exposure and healthcare spending.

More Related Videos

Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage (40-300 kV) X-Ray Facilities

Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage (40-300 kV) X-Ray Facilities

Published on: February 20, 2021

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue

Published on: September 30, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging

Published on: September 11, 2011

Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage (40-300 kV) X-Ray Facilities

Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage (40-300 kV) X-Ray Facilities

Published on: February 20, 2021

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue

High Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging of Implant-Associated Infections with X-ray Excited Luminescence Chemical Imaging Through Tissue

Published on: September 30, 2022

Area of Science:

Medical Imaging
Radiation Oncology
Public Health

Background:

X-rays, discovered in 1895, have known risks associated with large radiation doses.
Despite these risks, medical X-ray utilization remains high, potentially harming patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To present evidence supporting the overutilization of diagnostic X-rays.
To recommend strategies for reducing unnecessary radiation exposure in healthcare.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on X-ray utilization and radiation effects.
Analysis of healthcare spending related to diagnostic imaging.

Main Results:

Evidence indicates significant overutilization of X-ray procedures in clinical practice.
Unnecessary radiation exposure poses a tangible health risk to patients.

Conclusions:

Overutilization of X-rays is a critical issue in modern medicine.
Implementing evidence-based recommendations can reduce risks and optimize healthcare resource allocation.