Informed Consent in Computed Tomography: A Case for Standardization

Informed consent has become the most obvious instantiation of patient autonomy in contemporary medicine, though as a practice it does not encompass all spheres of medicine. While diagnostic radiological procedures carry some risk due to the use of radiation, there is no standardized practice of informed consent in the United States. The authors describe the ethical justification of informed consent, the legal background surrounding it, and a brief history of radiology and radiological protection. They ultimately argue that informed consent should become a common practice in computed tomography given the risks involved due to radiation exposure, especially considering the overuse of this technology, since it respects patient autonomy.