When should informed consent be obtained from the patient before proceeding with a radiographic examination?

Informed consent should be obtained before any radiographic examination that involves an invasive procedure. This is essential because informed consent is the process through which a patient is fully educated about the procedure, including its purpose, potential risks, and benefits. When a radiographic examination is invasive, it means that it may involve some level of risk to the patient, and they need to understand these factors to make an informed decision about their care.

In situations where the examination is non-invasive and straightforward, such as simple X-rays or ultrasound, formal written consent may not always be required, but the patient should still be informed about what will happen. However, when it comes to invasive procedures, having a regulated process for informed consent ensures that patient autonomy is respected, and that the medical professionals fulfill their ethical obligations to provide transparent information and secure the patient's agreement.