Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography.(Book review)

RADIATION PROTECTION IN MEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY. 5th ed. Sherer MAS, Visconti PJ, Ritenour ER. 2006. 358 pgs. Mosby. $42.95.

Getting ready to review this book, the first words that caught my interest were "fifth edition." First published in 1983, Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography is obviously a valued part of the radiologic sciences. Will this textbook hold up once again to the test of time? Can there possibly be enough rewriting and additions to keep this book in the top of its field? Can it continue to spark the interest of students and professionals alike?

Generally speaking, this book targets radiography students as its audience. The information is simply written and certainly at the proper level of knowledge for students. In addition, it is written so that more students can and will obtain pertinent information. Overall, this book is an excellent reference to anyone who works in the radiography profession.

The first several chapters give an explanation of radiation protection, interactions and radiation units. The next few chapters discuss cell biology and the effects of radiation on cellular structures. Dose limits and radiation monitoring are presented in three chapters. The final chapter is a recent addition that gives advanced information on isotopes and related radiation protection. This chapter also includes a short discussion about radiation emergencies and the use of radiation as a terrorist weapon.

For those students who learn best through visual aids, this text has many. Some illustrations, graphs, information boxes and tables have been updated with additional visual aids inserted as needed. Some chapters have been rearranged and a considerable number of other changes have been made, yet the text flows logically from one topic to the next in an interesting manner and remains well organized. It is indeed a compliment to the authors to be able to change, add or rearrange a textbook that has been in print more than 20 years and then produce an even more useful tool.

Since this is a textbook for students, other parts of the book also were reviewed. The general discussion and review questions help the student understand the important knowledge of each chapter. The included references give the student a considerable means to increase their knowledge of particular subjects, and the appendices and glossary are also helpful.

The additions, deletions and rearrangement of materials assure recreation of a very useable and useful text. The answers to my first questions can only be, "Yes, yes and yes." I highly recommend this book.

Mary Anne Kuk, M.S.H.C.A., R.T. (R)(M)

Council Bluffs, Iowa

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