Teaching physics in the discipline of medical radiations in an Australian university

Abstract

Medical radiations and imaging are highly technologically driven professions. Adequate knowledge in physics is the basic requirement for any medical radiation technologists working in medical radiation centres where ionizing radiations are used. The purpose of this paper is to discuss courses of physics we teach and the challenges we face in teaching physics to the undergraduate students in the discipline of medical radiations in our university. Although laws of physics are applied in the development and use of diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment, the physics is not loved by the students as a subject as it should be. Several medical radiations physics courses are taught in undergraduate medical radiations program in our discipline including radiography, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, CT, MRI, and Ultrasonography. In this paper teaching methods of medical radiation physics are discussed and students’ approach to learn this subject are analysed. The teaching techniques and initiatives are discussed along with their success and failure.