TU-E-350-04: The Practice of Clinical Therapy Medical Physics

Abstract

Clinical Therapy Physics is the real “practice” of Medical Physics. Therapy Medical Physics is reimbursed explicitly and implicitly as having direct contribution to specific patient care — the only Medical Physics sub‐field with this advantage. Whether it is in establishing External Beam, IMRT,SRS or SBRT programs with IGRT or providing Brachytherapy (HDR & LDR) programs for cancer therapy, the Clinical Therapy Medical Physicist works in partnership with the Radiation Oncologist to provide quality services in cancer care. Supervision of dosimetrists and therapists, the other members of the radiation oncology team is an important part played by us. Dr. Hevezi was Director of Medical Physics at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center for 15 years and built an important clinical therapy physics program there. A broad range of clinical services there included not only the above mentioned procedures, but procedures like Total Body Photon Therapy, COMS Eye Plaque therapy, and others. He currently serves as Lead CyberKnife Physicist with the South Texas RadioSurgery Associantion in San Antonio and directs Medical Physics graduate students in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Hevezi has been recently elected to the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiology where he serves as Chair of the Medical Physics Commission. He is former Chair of AAPM's Professional Economics Committee and most recent clinical interest is in developing the CyberKnife SBRT treatment modality for cancer therapy. He holds a basic patent in this technology. On completing the session on Meet the Experts, The Practice of Clinical Therapy Medical Physics, the attendee will: 1. Be able to identify the procedures in Clinical Therapy Medical Physics that are germane to the Practice 2. Be able to describe the interactions between the Medical Physicist and the Radiation Oncology team members 3. Be versed in the method of reimbursement currently available for the Medical Physicist in Clinical Therapy Medical Physics 4. Be able to identify the specific quality assurance procedures that the Medical Physicist must know in the Practice of Clinical Therapy Medical Physics 5. Be able to identify the spectrum of activities the Clinical Therapy Medical Physicist may be called on to perform in the Radiation Oncology Department