A simple system for requesting and reading radiographs should ensure that you do not ever miss abnormalities. Initially X-Rays are hard to read because there are many ‘normal’ variants. Comparing the X-Ray you are studying with a picture of a normal case (these are available in books and on the web) will help distinguish normal from abnormal.

Always fill in your forms tidily; remember there is no harm in adding ‘please’ to the request form. The radiographer and radiologist need to know where to find the patient and who to send the report to; they must be able to read these details.

When requesting an examination that uses ionising radiation you are responsible for ensuring that the risk is worth the potential clinical benefit. If in doubt ask a radiologist. The radiographer is allowed to perform examinations only when the indications conform with written protocols and standard guidelines; for unusual examinations you will be asked to justify the exposure to a radiologist.

As a general rule do not order specific views. It is the radiographer’s job to decide on the views, based on the disease you want to prove or exclude. For example, if you want to exclude slipped upper femoral epiphysis in a child, the radiographer will perform special views to do this. The more information that you give about the history and examination, the better the report you are likely to get back from the radiologist.