Introduction
According to Glasser (2013), the term radiography connotes a technique of imaging that employs the components of electromagnetic radiation, save for the visible light, to illuminate and view the internal elements of a uniform and opaque object like the human body. The technique has been in existence and use since November 8, 1895, shortly after the discovery of the X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad (Howard, 2015). However, Hart et al. (2014) note that the technique is just as useful as it is risky. The primary medical risk stemming from the use of the method is the contraction of cancer if the patient is overly exposed to the radiation. It then follows that radiation protection is pivotal in ensuring the patient’s safety as well as facilitating their treatment. Among all those involved in radiation protection, radiographers take the greatest responsibility especially when it comes to dose minimization. In as much as there exist the guiding cardinal principles of radiation, protection of the patients against radiation highly depends on the experience and behaviour of the radiographer. The basis of radiography is the ability to produce quality radiographic images. While striving to achieve that objective, the personnel may knowingly or unknowingly adjust the radiation levels to harmful levels. Above every service the radiographer could provide to the patient, they have a responsibility to use everything at their disposal to protect the patient from excessive ionization. As such, the following essay will deconstruct the particular roles of the radiographer in ensuring that the radiation doses are cut down during diagnostic imaging. For a comprehensive coverage, the paper divides the functions into three vital sectors; management roles, optimization, and justification.
Justification