2025 · Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics
Shannon O’Reilly, Stephen Avery, L. Dinh, Andrew Friberg, Ayoola Okuribido, Eric Addison, Stephen Inkoom, Alhassan Mohammed …
PURPOSE: The Global Medical Physics Training and Development Program (GMPTDP) is a novel initiative that provides United States (US)-based graduate students in medical physics with structured, immersive clinical training in Ghana. METHODS: The five-week program begins with a cultural and clinical orientation in the US, followed by 4 weeks of clinical rotations across leading Ghanaian medical institutions. During rotations, students gain experience with teletherapy (LINACs and cobalt-60), brachytherapy, treatment planning, imaging, and more. Trainees participate in clinical activities, conduct collaborative projects, and engage in community outreach and cultural immersion. The program culminates in a symposium highlighting student experiences and future directions with speakers including physicists, oncologists, engineers, and policymakers. RESULTS: The pilot year of the program was successfully completed by three students from May 28 2024-July 2 2024. This article outlines the development, structure, and implementation of GMPTDP as a replicable model for global health training in medical physics, emphasizing sustainable partnerships between high-income and low- and middle-income countries. Educational objectives include demonstrating effective cross-border training models, fostering collaborative research, and expanding global clinical experience in the field of medical physics. CONCLUSIONS: A model for a global medical physics training program was developed and successfully implemented.
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DOI: 10.1002/acm2.704102025 · Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics
Afua A. Yorke, Mercy T. Schandorf, Abigail N. M. Quaye, Peniel Tenkorama Twum, Bishwambhar Sengupta, Kwadwo Antwi Boasiako N…
PURPOSE: To promote diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), an educational presentation and hands-on session was organised to raise awareness of STEM career opportunities among high school girls to introduce the students to the field of medical physics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 65 first-year Senior High School girls, aged 13-16, pursuing general science in Accra, Ghana. This initiative, organised by the Girls Excellence Movement (GEM) in collaboration with a United States (US) institution, implemented the "heroes in radiation oncology" program, which included a relatable presentation and hands-on experience in simulation to treatment planning activities. The program's effectiveness was assessed through pre-and post-assessment surveys, and a thematic analysis of student feedback. RESULTS: Participants' awareness of career fields showed an interest in traditional healthcare professions (92%) and engineering (73.8%), with minimal medical physics awareness (12.3%). Post-presentation survey showed a significant change in participants' perception of medical physics 87.3%. Thematic analysis revealed increased awareness, understanding, and interest, dispelled misconceptions about radiation safety, and highlighted the interdisciplinary nature and career opportunities. The presentation was successful in inspiring participants and expanding their perspectives on medical physics. CONCLUSION: The program raised awareness of medical physics among participants, many of whom were previously unfamiliar with the field. Participants reported a newfound understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of medical physics, its connections to biology, mathematics, and engineering.This program can easily be reproduced in community and school outreaches.
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DOI: 10.1002/acm2.701262023 · Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics
Alhassan Mohammed Baidoo, Stephanie Brako Boateng, Ruth Beulah Awotwe, Samuel Nii Adu Tagoe, Philip Odonkor, Anna Mamoud
Dear Editor, The vast expanse of medical physics, as a discipline, traverses far beyond the mere application of radiation in healthcare. Yet, there seems to be an inadvertent narrowing of its scope in both academic curricula and public perception. By sequestering the role of medical physics to predominantly radiation-based applications, we risk overlooking its comprehensive potential in revolutionizing patient care and clinical solutions. Medical physics involves the application of the concepts and methods of physics to medicine. Its footprint can be observed wherever physics aids in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. This understanding, reinforced by numerous scientists and authors, is also delineated in general literature, from encyclopedias to dictionaries. Consequently, the realm of medical physics extends across every nook and cranny of healthcare facilities. From assessments, such as temperature and pressure-related vitals, to diagnostic procedures involving medical imaging, and treatments encompassing cardiac defibrillators and artificial heart valves, medical physics plays an instrumental role. However, the current academic trend is concerning. A majority of graduate programs in medical physics seem to be anchored predominantly on diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine physics. These subjects, while crucial, focus primarily on radiation's clinical, research, and industrial applications. This skewed emphasis has led to a scenario where the term “medical physics” evokes immediate associations with “diagnostic imaging physics, radiotherapy physics, and nuclear medicine physics.” This tunnel vision not only shapes public perception but also manifests itself in the job market. Hospitals tend to list radiologically-related roles when appointing medical physicists, perpetuating this limited scope. Through your esteemed journal, we wish to shed light on the need for a broader understanding and application of medical physics, extending beyond the radiation-centric narrative that currently prevails. We believe that diversifying the roles and responsibilities of medical physicists will significantly contribute to the advancement of healthcare and scientific communities. Thank you for considering our perspective. We look forward to your action in addressing this urgent matter for the betterment of healthcare and the scientific community at large. Yours sincerely, Corresponding author. Mr. Alhassan Mohammed Baidoo: Conception of research idea, writing of initial draft, review and approval of finished work. Stephanie Brako Boateng: Conception of research idea and writing of initial draft. Ruth Beulah Awotwe: Conception of research idea and rewriting of initial draft. Samuel Nii Adu Tagoe: Review and correction of written work. Philip Odonkor: Rewriting of initial draft. Anna Mamoud: Rewriting of initial draft. The authors have nothing to report. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14176