SU-E-E-05: An Educational Physical Environment Concept with Close Research and Clinical Collaborations

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics Education
• Clinical Translational Research
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Medical physics training traditionally occurs in separate academic settings.
• Bridging the gap between theoretical education and practical clinical application is crucial for developing skilled imaging physicists.
• Enhanced collaboration between medical physicists, physicians, and engineers can accelerate medical innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a dedicated physical environment for educating medical physics students.
• To immerse students in a real-world clinical and research setting.
• To foster close collaboration among medical physicists, physicians, biomedical engineers, and other healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• Designed a single building structure to house a collaborative educational environment.
• Integrated medical physics program offices, labs, and conference rooms.
• Co-located dedicated research imaging suites (CT, PET/CT, MRI) and clinical vascular imaging suites within the same facility.

Main Results:

• Constructed a Clinical Translational Research Center connected to a university hospital and radiation therapy facilities.
• The center includes dedicated research imaging suites, animal facilities, and clinical vascular imaging suites.
• Designed spaces, including an atrium and meeting rooms, to promote informal communication and collaboration.

Conclusions:

• A novel physical structure has been developed to embed medical physics education within a collaborative clinical translational research environment.
• This integrated approach facilitates a unique perspective on research translation into clinical practice.
• The project was supported by NIH grants and equipment grants from Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.