Atomic Energy Agency visitor in demand across globe
Published on 17 September, 2010
When Dr Madan Rehani visits a region of the world, he often attracts representatives from clusters of countries ... he's a radiation safety specialist with the International Atomic Energy Agency based in Vienna.
More than 80 countries follow his lead to improve radiation protection in health care. As well as his IAEA role, the visitor also represents the International Organisation of Medical Physics and the Medical Committee of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Dr Madan Rehani relaxes at Rockhampton Campus
"My prime activity is to check how safe is the patient in these different countries while undergoing radiological examinations and procedures and how can we make the patient safer," he said.
"In the past, the focus had been on protecting medical staff, who have a number of tools to protect themselves such lead apron and protective screen, and further the staff faces scattered radiation that is much smaller in intensity than the primary beam the patient faces. We have been able to change the agenda towards the protection of the patient."
Dr Rehani's visit to Rockhampton Campus this week, to address medical imaging and health science professionals, was arranged by Cynthia Cowling, who is helping to develop the University's new medical imaging programs.
"He's the person we look up to for guidance in our field ... since we are using ionising radiation, which is a hazard, we have to weigh up the benefits and risks," Ms Cowling said.
"The patient is in the firing line. With CT (Computed tomography) they are more in the firing line than they used to be with conventional radiographs.
"It's an accumulative thing so we can never be too careful. You don't know as you go through your life how many scans you might be having!"
During his Rockhampton visit, Dr Rehani was accompanied by Canadian medical radiation specialists Lori Boyd and Joan Laurie.
CQUniversity's expanded range of Health and Medical Sciences degrees for 2011 includes Medical Imaging, Medical Sonography, Medical Science and Paramedic Science. For details contact 13CQUni (13 27 86).