Medical Physics Practice in Latin America: The Best of Times, The worst of Times

Abstract

Introduction: Our task is to present information on the status of the Medical Physics practice in the different countries in Latin America. Because of its fundamental value, we would like to focus on the status of education and professional medical physics issues in the different countries. Purpose: The IAEA is interested in promoting harmonization of Medical Physics practice worldwide. As a contribution, we must first learn about the diverse status of the medical physics practice, possibilities and needs in the different countries of Latin America. Methods and Materials: The LAASC maintains a close communication with all (or most) Latin American Countries through the valuable contributions of our Latin American Liaisons and Consultants. We also rely heavily on the information and cooperation with ALFIM (The umbrella association of all Medical Physics Associations of the different countries in Latin America). This presentation is based on their contributions. Results: There is a large diversity in the status of Medical Physics practice in the different countries of Latin America. As expected, this discrepancy is mostly due to the different economy status in Latin American countries. However, in many instances the economic deficiencies are somehow compensated by the great creativity of medical physicists in the region. A large credit must be given to the extensive work of the IAEA and IOMP in the education and practice of the profession of medical physics in different countries of Latin America. Conclusions: LAASC always places emphasis on divulging to the Latin America medical physicists the professional and educational opportunities as well as the medical physics literature available through the AAPM website. Through the realization of ISEP workshops it has also been possible to exchange scientific information on the state of the art of the practice of medical physics, and also to divulge AAPM programs available to countries in development, such as PIP, International Affiliate, access to Medical Physics Journal and AAPM protocols, to name a few. We believe that through cooperation and work together with ALFIM, the AAPM could contribute to make a sustainable impact to the medical physics profession in Latin American Countries.Learning Objectives:1. Understand the fundamental problems associated with the different medical physics practice levels encountered in Latin America2. To become familiar with on‐going work in developing countries in Latin America in relation to medical physics education and professional recognition.3. Learn how the AAPM could make a sustainable impact.