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Navigating the medical physics education and training landscape
Brian Loughery1, George Starkschall2, Kristi Hendrickson3
1Karmanos Cancer Center, Wayne State University, Oncology, Detroit, MI, USA.
Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics
|November 11, 2017
Summary
The medical physics field faces a training gap, with more graduates than available residency positions. This disparity may deter future professionals from entering the medical physics workforce.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics Education
- Workforce Development
- Graduate Training
Background:
- The American Board of Radiology (ABR) 2012/2014 initiative and the Medical Physics Match have significantly altered medical physics education and training.
- Understanding these shifts is crucial for the future of the profession.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify changes in medical physics education and training.
- To summarize existing data on graduate programs and residency placements.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP)-accredited programs.
- Evaluation of CAMPEP graduate and residency program reports.
- Review of surveys concerning the Medical Physics Match and Professional Doctorate (DMP) programs.
Main Results:
- Graduate numbers increased from 210 to 332 (2009-2015), while residency positions grew from 60 to 134.
- Only 36% of graduates secured residency in 2015, with median placement rates as low as 22% across programs.
- A significant gap exists between graduates seeking clinical practice and available residency slots, impacting career decisions.
Conclusions:
- A substantial imbalance exists between medical physics residency positions and interested graduates.
- Variability in residency placement rates across programs is significant.
- More comprehensive workforce data are needed to address potential negative impacts on future medical physicists.