Training Of Medical Physicists Research Articles

Guidelines for education and training of medical physicists in radiotherapy: Recommendations from an ESTRO/EFOMP working group

PurposeTo provide a guideline curriculum covering theoretical and practical aspects of education and training for medical physicists in radiotherapy within Europe. Material and methodsGuidelines have been developed for the specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience required to practice as a medical physicist in radiotherapy. It is assumed that the typical entrant into training will have a good initial degree in the physical sciences, therefore these guidelines also require that and are additional to it. National training programmes of medical physics, radiation physics and radiotherapy physics from a range of European countries and from North America were reviewed by an expert panel set up by the European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP). A draft document prepared by this group was circulated, via the EFOMP infrastructure, among national professional medical physics societies in Europe for review and comment and was also discussed in an education session in the May 2003 EFOMP scientific meeting in Eindhoven. ResultsThe resulting guideline curriculum for education and training of medical physicists in radiotherapy within Europe discusses the EFOMP terms, qualified medical physicist (QMP) and specialist medical physicist (SMP), and the group's view of the links to the EU (Directive 97/43) term, medical physics expert (MPE). The minimum level expected in each topic in the theoretical knowledge and practical experience sections is intended to bring trainees up to the requirements of a QMP. The responses from the circulation of the document to national societies and its discussion were either to agree its content, with no changes required, or to suggest changes, which were taken into account after consideration by the expert group. Following this the guidelines have been endorsed by the parent organisations. ConclusionsThis new joint ESTRO/EFOMP European guideline curriculum is a first step to harmonise specialist training of medical physicists in radiotherapy within Europe. It provides a common framework for national medical physics societies to develop or benchmark their own curricula, but is also flexible enough to suit different situations of initial physics qualifications, medical physics training programmes, accreditation structures, etc. The responsibility for the implementation of these standards and guidelines will lie with the national training bodies and authorities.

Training of medical physicists in Russia

The paper shows the role and place of medical physicists in modern society, gives an analysis and recommendations on training such specialists in our country and abroad.

Status Of Education And Training In Medical Physics And Radiation Protection In India

Status Of Education And Training In Medical Physics And Radiation Protection In India

Master’s level graduate training in medical physics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Medical physics is an applied branch of physics which is concerned with the application of energy in various forms to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. It is allied closely with medical electronics, bioengineering, and health physics, but extends beyond the boundaries of these rather specific disciplines. The diversity of medical physics demands a broad background of both coursework and experience for persons working in this field. To provide such training, educational programs have been developed such as the Master’s degree program in medical physics of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The program at the University of Colorado was established in 1971 and is noteworthy for its emphasis on the practical and clinical aspects of medical physics.

Comments on “Medical Physics Training Programs—1975: Status Report”

Comments on “Medical Physics Training Programs—1975: Status Report”

The training of medical physicists

At the present time there is a general world wide cutting back in the financing of pure nuclear physics research and a definite trend to extend scientific effort into the realms of the biological sciences. It is therefore worth while assessing the present arrangements for the training programs for scientists and, particularly in this article, physicists in the medical services.

The training of medical physicists

The history of medical physics is reviewed, from which it is seen that it is better described as the applications of physics to medicine. The work done by a physicist employed in a hospital is discussed together with the qualities, other than ability as a physicist, that he requires. Methods whereby one can become a medical physicist are given, the conclusion being that the most essential thing is to be a good physicist before becoming a medical physicist.

Physicists in Medicine

THE American Association of Physicists in Medicine adopted its first formal constitution and elected its first set of permanent officers at a meeting held in Cincinnati last December. Under the provisions of the constitution, membership is open only to individuals who are primarily and professionally engaged in the application of physics to medicine and biology in medical installations or research or educational institutions. The objectives of the Association are to encourage interest and training in medical physics and related fields, to prepare and disseminate technical information in medical physics and related fields, to secure and maintain high professional standards for physicists in medicine and biology, and to serve and represent their professional interests.