TT06-Medical Physics Education Program

James C. H. Chu, PhD

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, IL  60612

Medical physics is the branch of physical sciences that deals with the application of radiation in medicine. Historically, medical physicists were trained to work in both diagnostic radiation imaging and radiation therapy; medical physics was almost synonymous with radiological physics. With the technologies in imaging and therapy becoming more sophisticated, it is increasingly difficult for a physicist to master the skills in both areas. Consequently, diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy physics have evolved into two separate disciplines over the past two decades. A radiation oncology physicist’s need to acquire knowledge in imaging technology, however, is increasing in recent years, largely due to the advances in imaging guided radiation therapy, such as radiosurgery and intensity modulated radiation therapy. The structure of an education program for radiation oncology physics, therefore, must include core material that constitutes the basis for both imaging and therapy, practical knowledge in imaging science, and detailed curriculum in therapy. A recent American Association of Physicists in Medicine report, “Academic program recommendations for graduate degrees in medical physics”, provides useful materials for inclusion in a medical physics education program.

TT06-医学物理教育项目

James C. H. Chu, PhD

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, IL  60612

医学物理是物理学的一个分支，它处理辐射在医学中的应用。历史上，医学物理师接受诊断放射影像和放射治疗的工作培训，医学物理和放射物理几乎是同义的。随着影像和治疗技术变得复杂，对物理师来说要在两方面都精通的难度增加了。因此诊断影像和放射治疗物理在过去二十多年的时间里演变成为两个分开的学科。然而近年来放射肿瘤物理师对于获得影像技术方面的知识的需要正在增长，这主要是由于图像引导的放射治疗的发展，如放射外科和调强放疗。因此放射肿瘤物理师教育程序必须包括由影像和治疗、影像科学中的实际知识和治疗的详细课程所组成的核心材料。AAPM近期发表的一份报告“医学物理研究生学位学术项目建议”提供了与医学物理教育项目的有用素材。