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About Medical Physics

Medical Physics

Medical physics is a branch of physics concerned with the application of physics concepts and methods to the needs of medicine. The field is responsible for the technical foundations of radiology, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. It is also closely linked to neighbouring fields such as medical electronics, bioengineering, biophysics and health physics.

Primary areas of interest are in diagnostic imaging with x rays, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultrasound and radionuclides, in treatment of cancer by ionising radiation, and in radiation protection and safety.

Medical Physicist

Medical physicists are professionals with education and specialist training that combines principles of physics and engineering with those of biology and medicine. The profession contribute to the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment procedures of human disease while ensuring the safety of the patients and public. Medical Physicists work in hospitals and academic / research institutions. Main areas of activities are clinical service and consultation, research and development, and teaching.

Medical Physics Organisations

Education & Training of Medical Physicists

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends that “Medical physicists must have received appropriate undergraduate education in physical or engineering sciences, followed by a professional competency training that includes an additional period of 1–3 years of academic education in medical physics at the postgraduate level. In order to become a clinically qualified medical physicist (CQMP), the academic training at the postgraduate level must be followed by at least two additional years of structured practical training in a clinical environment, in one or more specialties of medical physics. Overall, the academic education and clinical training should extend over a minimum period of, typically, seven years. Medical physicists that have completed an academic programme and work or do research in a non-clinical environment will require additional appropriate training to become CQMPs. The education and training of medical physicists should be recognized by a national or international accreditation body. In order to maintain and enhance their professional competence, and their ability to work independently, practising medical physicists should undertake a continuing professional development (CPD) programme which should include attendance at national and/or international conferences and courses on topics related to their field of specialization. They should also regularly consult relevant scientific journals and literature.”

Reference: IAEA HUMAN HEALTH SERIES No. 25 Roles and responsibilities, and education and training requirements for clinically qualified medical physicists, Vienna : International Atomic Energy Agency, 2013.

In Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (http://www.fizik.usm.my/) and Universiti Malaya (http://www.ips.um.edu.my/) are currently offering postgraduate degrees in Medical Physics (MSc by coursework).

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