Medical Physicist

Who are Medical Physicists?

Medical physicists practicing in hospitals are healthcare professionals with education and specialist training in the concepts and techniques of applying physics in medicine. They are competent to practice independently in one or more of the subfields of medical physics, which include Radiation Oncology Physics, Medical Imaging Physics and Health Physics (Radiation Protection in Medicine). Medical Physicists are classified by International Labour Organization (ILO) as professionals forming an integral part of the healthcare workforce. There are more than 18,000 medical physicists practicing in different parts of the world with about 100 in Hong Kong.

Role and Responsibilities

Medical physicists are involved with the application of medical physics principles and techniques in the clinics for prevention, treatment and diagnosis of human disorders, illnesses and disabilities. Their main responsibilities include measurement and calibration of radiation used in the clinics; quality assurance of radiation therapy and diagnostic radiology equipment; optimization and verification of therapeutic and diagnostic radiological procedures; radiation safety and protection of the patients, staff and members of the public; testing and commissioning of new medical radiological technologies; training of medical and allied heath staff; and research and development of new treatment and diagnostic techniques and procedures. The quality of their work has direct impact on the outcome of the clinical procedures using radiation and this can affect a large number of patients.

Education & Training

The minimum education requirement for Medical Physicists working in hospitals in Hong Kong is a master’s (MSc) degree in medical physics or in an appropriate science subject. Medical Physicists practicing in clinical environment need to have received a minimum of two years clinical training in the form of residency or equivalent training.

Professional Accreditation

Medical Physicists are subject to professional certification. They sit for a professional competency assessment after completing their clinical training. The assessment is conducted by a certification board operated by a professional body. After passing the professional assessment, a Medical Physicist is considered professionally qualified to perform medical physics duties independently. As recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP), Medical Physicists should be subject to state registration in a similar manner as other health professionals such as Medical Doctors and Pharmacists.

See also IAEA fact sheets from IAEA:

http://www.iomp.org/sites/default/files/13-24461_nph_factsheet_screen.pdf

http://www.iomp.org/sites/default/files/13-24411_nph_factsheet_screen_2.pdf