APQS consensus regarding patient shielding during routine radiographic imaging

Shielding, particularly of the gonads, has been a routine part of diagnostic radiographic imaging for many years. However, recent thinking suggests that such shielding may offer little benefit, and in some cases may actually cause harm, e.g. by obscuring anatomy or paradoxically increasing patient radiation dose secondary to the need for repeat imaging. This thinking has led many institutions in the West to abandon routine shielding. However, in Asia, shielding is still commonplace. It was felt that the Asia-Pacific Forum on Quality and Safety in Medical Imaging (APQS) was an ideal place to discuss the merits of shielding and deliver a pan-Asian consensus. The APQS is an annual meeting that convenes radiation safety and imaging quality experts from all of the major Asian regions. During the 2020 APQS meeting, radiation safety experts from each region discussed their opinions of shielding during a dedicated session. These experts' views were mostly in line with the views of Western radiologists. However, important country specific and cultural factors were noted by each of the experts. A pan-Asian consensus was issued by the forum. It is hoped that this consensus will guide the development of future shielding policies throughout Asia.