Abstract
ESTRO-EFOMP intend to update the core curriculum (CC) for education and training of medical physicists in radiotherapy in line with the European Commission (EC) guidelines on Medical Physics Experts (MPE), the CanMEDS methodology and recent developments in radiotherapy. As input, a survey of the current structure of radiotherapy MPE national training schemes (NTS) in Europe was carried out. A 35-question survey was sent to all European medical physics national societies (NS) with a focus on existence of an NTS, its format and duration, required entry-level education, and financial support for trainees. Twenty-six of 36 NS responded. Twenty had an NTS. Minimum required pre-training education varied from BSc in physics or related sciences (5/2) to MSc in medical physics, physics or related sciences (6/5/2) with 50-210 ECTS in fundamental physics and mathematics. The training period varied from 1 to 5years (median 3years with 50% dedicated to radiotherapy). The ratio of time spent on university lectures versus hospital training was most commonly 25%/75%. In 14 of 20 countries with an NTS, a research project was mandatory. Residents were paid in 17 of 20 countries. The recognition was mostly obtained by examination. Medical physics is recognised as a healthcare profession in 19 of 26 countries. The NTS entrance level, duration and curriculum showed significant variations. This survey serves to inform the design of the updated CC to define a realistic minimum training level for safe and effective practice aiming at further harmonization in line with EC guidelines.
Highlights
Radiotherapy (RT) is a highly technical therapeutic approach to treat cancer patients with ionising radiation
The national training schemes (NTS) entrance level, duration and curriculum showed significant variations. This survey serves to inform the design of the updated CC to define a realistic minimum training level for safe and effective practice aiming at further harmonization in line with European Commission (EC) guidelines
This study presents the results of a survey of currently used entrance level requirements, contents, durations, methods of training, assess ments and recognitions of medical physicists in Europe
Summary
Radiotherapy (RT) is a highly technical therapeutic approach to treat cancer patients with ionising radiation. A thoroughly trained multidis ciplinary team, including radiation oncologists, medical physicists, RT technicians/radiation therapists/radiographers and oncology nurses, has the responsibility to ensure a safe and effective treatment for all patients. As a scientist trained in fundamental physics and specialized in medical physics, the medical physicist has a unique role in this clinical team [1]. Apart from physics, medical, radiobiological and infor mation technology aspects of radiotherapy are covered in the training of radiotherapy physicists. The medical physicist in RT has three main responsibilities: 1) leading physics aspects of RT (including choice, commissioning and management of equipment, treatment planning, quality assurance, im aging, patient-specific dosimetry and radiation protection), 2) training of personnel, 3) research and innovation. The medical physicist is involved in consultations with patients on physics related topics
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