Moving back: The radiation dose received from lumbar spine quantitative fluoroscopy compared to lumbar spine radiographs with suggestions for dose reduction.

Purpose: Quantitative fluoroscopy is an emerging technology for assessing continuous inter-vertebral motion in the lumbar spine, but information on radiation dose is not yet available. The purposes of this study were to compare the radiation dose from quantitative fluoroscopy of the lumbar spine with lumbar spine radiographs, and identify opportunities for dose reduction in quantitative fluoroscopy.

Methods: Internationally reported dose area product (DAP) and effective dose data for lumbar spine radiographs were compared with the same for quantitative fluoroscopy and with data from a local hospital for functional radiographs (weight bearing AP, lateral, and/or flexion and extension) ( = 27).

Becoming an effective learner.

The teaching of medicine and the expectations of trainees has changed enormously over the past two decades in parallel to changes in medical technology, advances in information technology and the provision of healthcare. With a shortened time in medical training efficient learning is ever more crucial and the skills with which to optimise and enhance our learning opportunities are discussed.