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Fiagbedzi E, Hasford F, Tagoe SN. The influence of artificial intelligence on the work of the medical physicist in radiotherapy practice: a short review. BJR Open 2023; 5:20230003. [PMID: 37942499 PMCID: PMC10630976 DOI: 10.1259/bjro.20230003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
There have been many applications and influences of Artificial intelligence (AI) in many sectors and its professionals, that of radiotherapy and the medical physicist is no different. AI and technological advances have necessitated changing roles of medical physicists due to the development of modernized technology with image-guided accessories for the radiotherapy treatment of cancer patients. Given the changing role of medical physicists in ensuring patient safety and optimal care, AI can reshape radiotherapy practice now and in some years to come. Medical physicists' roles in radiotherapy practice have evolved to meet technology for the management of better patient care in the age of modern radiotherapy. This short review provides an insight into the influence of AI on the changing role of medical physicists in each specific chain of the workflow in radiotherapy in which they are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francis Hasford
- Department of Medical Physics, Accra-Ghana, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Nii Tagoe
- Department of Medical Physics, Accra-Ghana, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Crowe S, Aland T, Fog L, Greig L, Hamlett L, Lydon J, Waterhouse D, Doromal D, Sawers A, Round H. Report of the ACPSEM radiation oncology medical physics workforce modelling project task group. Phys Eng Sci Med 2021; 44:1013-1025. [PMID: 34780043 DOI: 10.1007/s13246-021-01078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The ACPSEM radiation oncology medical physics workforce modelling project task group was formed to acquire a snapshot of practices in Australia and New Zealand and to develop an activity-based workforce model. To achieve this, two surveys were carried out, capturing the work practices of 98 radiation oncology departments and 182 college members. The member survey provided a snapshot of the current workforce: their demographics, work conditions, professional recognition, and future plans. The facility survey provided an Australian and New Zealand contextualisation of the volume-based activities defined in the International Atomic Energy Agency activity-based radiation oncology staffing model at a granular level. An ACPSEM ROMP workforce model was developed to be a modelling tool applicable at both the facility and sector levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Crowe
- Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia.
| | | | - Lotte Fog
- Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lynne Greig
- Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Lynsey Hamlett
- Adem Crosby Centre, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - Jenny Lydon
- Sunshine Hospital Radiation Therapy Centre, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Howell Round
- Australian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Ng KH, Brady Z, Ng AH, Soh HS, Chou YH, Varma D. The status of radiation protection in medicine in the Asia-Pacific region. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2021; 65:464-470. [PMID: 33606359 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
More than half of the world's population live in Asia-Pacific. This region is culturally diverse, with significant disparities in terms of socio-economic status, provision of health care and access to advanced technology. The medical use of ionising radiation is increasing worldwide and similarly within the Asia-Pacific region. In this paper, we highlight the current status in usage of ionising radiation in medicine in the region, and review the legal framework, implementation and activities in radiation protection. Asia-Pacific countries are active in strengthening radiation protection by promoting education and training. Various projects and activities initiated by international organisations such as the IAEA, WHO and ICRP have provided stimulation in the region, but more work is needed to continue to improve protection practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwan Hoong Ng
- Department of Biomedical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zoe Brady
- Radiology Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aik Hao Ng
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Hwee Shin Soh
- Medical Radiation Surveillance Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Yi Hong Chou
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, and National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Radiology, Yee Zen General Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Dinesh Varma
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Kadoya N, Karasawa K, Sumida I, Arimura H, Kakinohana Y, Kabuki S, Monzen H, Nishio T, Shirato H, Yamada S. Educational outcomes of a medical physicist program over the past 10 years in Japan. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2017; 58:669-674. [PMID: 28402432 PMCID: PMC5737664 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrx016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The promotion plan for the Platform of Human Resource Development for Cancer (Ganpro) was initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan in 2007, establishing a curriculum for medical physicists. In this study, we surveyed the educational outcomes of the medical physicist program over the past 10 years since the initiation of Ganpro. The Japan Society of Medical Physics mailing list was used to announce this survey. The questionnaire was created by members of the Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, and was intended for the collection of information regarding the characteristics and career paths of medical physics students. Students who participated in the medical physics program from 2007 to 2016 were enrolled. Thirty-one universities (17 accredited and 14 non-accredited) were represented in the survey. In total, 491, 105 and 6 students were enrolled in the Master's, Doctorate and Residency programs, respectively. Most students held a Bachelor's degree in radiological technology (Master's program, 87%; Doctorate program, 72%). A large number of students with a Master's degree worked as radiological technologists (67%), whereas only 9% (n = 32) worked as medical physicists. In contrast, 53% (n = 28) of the students with a Doctorate degree worked as medical physicists. In total, 602 students (from 31 universities) completed the survey. Overall, although the number of the graduates who worked as medical physicists was small, this number increased annually. It thus seems that medical institutions in Japan are recognizing the necessity of licensed medical physicists in the radiotherapy community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriyuki Kadoya
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
| | - Kumiko Karasawa
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, 162-8666Japan
| | - Iori Sumida
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Arimura
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyusyu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Kakinohana
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Shigeto Kabuki
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara 259-1193, Japan
| | - Hajime Monzen
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Physics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama 589-8511, Japan
| | - Teiji Nishio
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Physics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan
| | - Hiroki Shirato
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Syogo Yamada
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan
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Surveying trends in radiation oncology medical physics in the Asia Pacific Region. Phys Med 2016; 32:883-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Kron T, Azhari HA, Voon EO, Cheung KY, Ravindran P, Soejoko D, Inamura K, Han Y, Ung NM, TsedenIsh B, Win UM, Srivastava R, Marsh S, Farrukh S, Rodriguez L, Kuo M, Baggarley S, DilipKumara AH, Lee CC, Krisanachinda A, Nguyen XC, Ng KH. Medical physics aspects of cancer care in the Asia Pacific region: 2014 survey results. AUSTRALASIAN PHYSICAL & ENGINEERING SCIENCES IN MEDICINE 2015; 38:493-501. [DOI: 10.1007/s13246-015-0373-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kadoya N, Karasawa K, Sumida I, Arimura H, Yamada S. The current status of education and career paths of students after completion of medical physicist programs in Japan: a survey by the Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification. Radiol Phys Technol 2015; 8:278-85. [PMID: 25939869 DOI: 10.1007/s12194-015-0317-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To standardize educational programs and clinical training for medical physics students, the Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification (JBMP) began to accredit master's, doctorate, and residency programs for medical physicists in 2012. At present, 16 universities accredited by the JBMP offer 22 courses. In this study, we aimed to survey the current status of educational programs and career paths of students after completion of the medical physicist program in Japan. A questionnaire was sent in August 2014 to 32 universities offering medical physicist programs. The questionnaire was created and organized by the educational course certification committee of the JBMP and comprised two sections: the first collected information about the university attended, and the second collected information about characteristics and career paths of students after completion of medical physicist programs from 2008 to 2014. Thirty universities (16 accredited and 14 non-accredited) completed the survey (response rate 94 %). A total of 209, 40, and 3 students graduated from the master's, doctorate, and residency programs, respectively. Undergraduates entered the medical physicist program constantly, indicating an interest in medical physics among undergraduates. A large percentage of the students held a bachelor's degree in radiological technology (master's program 94 %; doctorate program 70 %); graduates obtained a national radiological technologist license. Regarding career paths, although the number of the graduates who work as medical physicist remains low, 7 % with a master's degree and 50 % with a doctorate degree worked as medical physicists. Our results could be helpful for improving the medical physicist program in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriyuki Kadoya
- The Japanese Board for Medical Physicist Qualification, Tokyo, Japan,
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Round WH. A 2012 survey of the Australasian clinical medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce. AUSTRALASIAN PHYSICAL & ENGINEERING SCIENCES IN MEDICINE 2013; 36:147-57. [DOI: 10.1007/s13246-013-0195-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Medical physics aspects of cancer care in the Asia Pacific region: 2011 survey results. Biomed Imaging Interv J 2012; 8:e10. [PMID: 22970066 PMCID: PMC3432256 DOI: 10.2349/biij.8.2.e10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Medical physicists are essential members of the radiation oncology team. Given the increasing complexity of radiotherapy delivery, it is important to ensure adequate training and staffing. The aim of the present study was to update a similar survey from 2008 and assess the situation of medical physicists in the large and diverse Asia Pacific region. Methods: Between March and July 2011, a survey on profession and practice of radiation oncology medical physicists (ROMPs) in the Asia Pacific region was performed. The survey was sent to senior physicists in 22 countries. Replies were received from countries that collectively represent more than half of the world’s population. The survey questions explored five areas: education, staffing, work patterns including research and teaching, resources available, and job satisfaction. Results and discussion: Compared to a data from a similar survey conducted three years ago, the number of medical physicists in participating countries increased by 29% on average. This increase is similar to the increase in the number of linear accelerators, showing that previously identified staff shortages have yet to be substantially addressed. This is also highlighted by the fact that most ROMPs are expected to work overtime often and without adequate compensation. While job satisfaction has stayed similar compared to the previous survey, expectations for education and training have increased somewhat. This is in line with a trend towards certification of ROMPs. Conclusion: As organisations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) start to recognise medical physics as a profession, it is evident that despite some encouraging signs there is still a lot of work required towards establishing an adequately trained and resourced medical physics workforce in the Asia Pacific region.
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Thomas BJ. Education and training of medical physicists in South East Asia: accomplishments and challenges. Biomed Imaging Interv J 2011; 7:e23. [PMID: 22279500 PMCID: PMC3265195 DOI: 10.2349/biij.7.3.e23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
John Cameron has made significant contributions to the field of Medical Physics. His contributions encompassed research and development, technical developments and education. He had a particular interest in the education of medical physicists in developing countries. Structured clinical training is also an essential component of the professional development of a medical physicist. This paper considers aspects of the clinical training and education of medical physicists in South-East Asia and the challenges facing the profession in the region if it is to keep pace with the rapid increase in the amount and technical complexity of medical physics infrastructure in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Thomas
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Queensland, Australia.
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Ng KH, Cheung KY, Hu YM, Inamura K, Kim HJ, Krisanachinda A, Leung J, Pradhan AS, Round H, van Dorn T, Wong TJ, Yi BY. The role, responsibilities and status of the clinical medical physicist in AFOMP. AUSTRALASIAN PHYSICAL & ENGINEERING SCIENCES IN MEDICINE 2009; 32:175-9. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03179236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ng KH. Medical Physics in Asia — Where are we going? AUSTRALASIAN PHYSICAL & ENGINEERING SCIENCES IN MEDICINE 2008; 31:xi-xii. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03178593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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