Radiophilia: A Common Case of Excessive Radiation Exposure inHealthcare

Medical imaging using ionizing radiation is an increasing activity that brings tremendous benefits to the patients. But stochastic and deterministic effects of radiation, make it necessary to protect patients from potential harm. In this study, we report a common case of excessive radiation exposure in healthcare. We named it “Radiophilia”. It can be defined as “unnecessary radiation exposure due to misunderstanding and underestimation of risk perception, risk conception and risk communication among healthcare employees involved in medical radiation imaging”. Radiophilia is not a term to describe a phenomenon, but it is an inconvenient truth that is not justified any way. We discus more on Radiophilia and address main reasons that may lead to this truth.