Which population is most at risk for radiation exposure in a healthcare setting?

Patients undergoing radiation therapy are indeed the population most at risk for radiation exposure in a healthcare setting. This is primarily due to the nature of their treatment, which intentionally involves the use of high doses of radiation to target and destroy cancer cells. During this process, these patients are exposed to radiation as part of their therapeutic regimen, which is crucial for their treatment but also implies they are at greater potential risk for side effects related to radiation exposure.

While healthcare workers, visitors, and office staff may have some risk of exposure, it is generally managed through protective measures such as shielding and safety protocols. Healthcare workers undergo rigorous training and follow strict safety guidelines to minimize their exposure, while visitors have significantly less interaction with radiation sources, and office staff typically do not have any direct exposure to radiation in their roles. Thus, patients undergoing radiation therapy stand out as the most vulnerable group in relation to radiation exposure within a healthcare environment.