European communication campaign “Getting the Right Image for My Patient”.

On 11 September 2025, during the autumn meeting of the Working Group on Medical Applications, HERCA (Heads of the European Radiation Protection Competent Authorities) has re-launched the European communication campaign “Getting the Right Image for My Patient.” Originally launched in November 2019, the campaign’s impact was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of new insights from the EU-JUST-CT project and renewed momentum around imaging justification, HERCA has decided to re-launch the initiative with broader participation and renewed focus. The campaign will be rolled out in 21 countries across Europe, aiming to raise awareness about the appropriate use of medical radiological examinations.

Key questions

A set of seven key questions is at the core of the campaign and is designed to support referrers in making informed decisions when requesting radiological examinations. These questions aim to:

• Encourage the use of available decision-support tools,
• Promote effective communication with patients,
• Help identify the most appropriate imaging method—or alternative—based on clinical need.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that patients receive the right diagnosis through the right examination, enabling timely treatment while avoiding unnecessary procedures that offer no clinical benefit.

Campaign materials

The campaign materials, developed by HERCA, are available in a range of languages and are adapted to meet national needs. Each participating country coordinates its own campaign using the shared core materials, ensuring both consistency and local relevance. The common material, as well as links to national campaign pages, can be found on the HERCA website.

We are pleased to announce that Poland has joined the campaign, and the National Centre for Radiation Protection in Health Care (as a member of HERCA) has developed Polish versions of the materials.