1 What do Patients Really Know or Want to Know about X-rays?

In the Western World, there is a strong movement towards including patients in all aspects of decisions on their care and treatment, including investigations. The General Medical Council has published a document ‘Seeking patients ’ consent: the ethical considerations ’ (1). This states ‘Successful relationships between doctors and patients depend on trust. Patients must be given sufficient information, in a way that they can understand, i