What Do Medical Physicists Do? Leadership and Challenges in Administration and Various Business Functions

The goal of the present study was to investigate the primary role of medical physicists (MPs) in radiation oncology (RO) administration and key business functions, besides various challenges facing today. An experienced MP leader formulates a well-structured department administration and management system in RO. The essential role of MP team leaders in health care is not only limited to supervising routine department clinical works but also being substantially involved in key business functions such as leadership, operations, project management, decision making, and many more. Furthermore, leadership appointments are equally important for the department and the health care organizations to a significant extent; the right competitive leaders with the right education and ample experience are necessary to operate administration and to perform various related business functions. To improve leadership qualities for individuals, a structured formal education with intensive training is necessary because leadership positions are associated with several complex business-related functions. A structured education or training could be received from various premier academies or institutions in the nation. Structured university academic programs (certificate, degree, or doctoral) in health care administration or management are highly beneficial for MPs who aspire to future leadership positions in RO due to high business complexities in health care organizations; however, this element is currently not enforced for MP leadership positions in the United States.