History of Medical Physics and Physics in Medicine in Ireland

Abstract

Medical Physics and contributions from physics to medicine are relatively well developed in Ireland, although no comprehensive account of both is available. This paper will endeavour to address both, emphasising the former, but not overlooking the latter. The methods employed include documentary research and interviews with some of those that made significant contributions from time to time. Documentary evidence for historical aspects of the development of medical physics is relatively sparse. However, several good sources have been identified and accessed covering periods C, D, and E below. Good sources for Irish contributions/contributors from physics to medicine have been identified and are available over a longer period since the seventeenth century British enlightenment, and especially for the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Sources for G and H, education/training and international contributions, are limited but archival material is available. Professional bodies will be treated, where relevant, under each heading. This paper will present a summary of findings from these sources under headings including: A. The Enlightenment (17th century) period (Multiple sources) B. Nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Multiple sources) C. Twentieth century up to late 60’s/early 70’s ( > 5 sources) D. Twentieth century from 70’s to 90’s ( > 3 sources) E. Period since the 90’s ( > 3 sources) F. Statutory developments and National Benchmarks (Multiple sources) G. Education and training initiatives ( > 3 Sources and archival material) H. Contributions to the international community (Archival material) The findings from this investigation provide a rich context and heritage for medical physics in Ireland.