WHO programme on the rational use of radiodiagnostic investigations

One of the most direct ways of reducing health costs and patient exposure is to avoid all radiological investigations which are not essential for the achievement of a reliable diagnostic methodology with the lowest acceptable dose and at a moderate cost. An objective of the need for various X-ray procedures was started more than 10 years ago in the USA and the UK. WHO has initiated efforts towards a wider understanding of this subject by organizing three meetings: Brussels 1977, and Neuherberg 1979 and 1981. These meetings were followed by the Scientific Group Meeting which was held in Geneva in 1982, the report of which has been published entitled A Rational Approach to Radiodiagnostic Investigations. This report summarises experience gained in relation to the rational use of X-ray investigations, with the aim of encouraging radiologists and medical specialists to restrict the practice of major and commonly used radiodiagnostic investigations to those which are clinically justified. (author)