Medical physics graduate education in Mexico and its relation to the advances in radiation oncology.

Abstract

To evaluate the state of graduate education in medical physics and progress in radiation oncology (RO) equipment in Mexico since 2000, when conferring degrees from two master's-degree programs in Medical Physics began. Medical physics is a Health Profession and there are international recommendations for education, training, and certification. Both programs follow these education guidelines. The most common clinical occupation of graduates is in RO services. Techniques in Mexican RO include traditional and high-precision procedures. Academic and occupational information about the programs and their graduates were obtained from official websites. Graduates were invited to respond to a survey that requested information about their present job. We obtained data on RO equipment and human resources from public databases and estimated staffing requirements of medical physicists (MPs). Medical physics programs have graduated a total of 225 MPs. Half of them work in a clinical environment and, of these, about 90 work in RO services. MPs with M.Sc. degrees constitute 36% of the current MP workforce in RO, estimated to be 250 individuals. Survey responses pointed out the main merits and limitations of the programs. The number of MPs in RO has increased fivefold and the number of linacs sixfold in 15 years. The present number of MPs is insufficient, according to published guidelines. All MPs in RO services with advanced modalities must be trained following international recommendations for graduate education and post-graduation clinical training. Education and health institutions must find incentives to create more graduate programs and clinical residencies.