MPLA case: A proposal for purchasing SRS/SBRT QA equipment

This work of fiction is part of a case study series developed by the medical physics leadership academy (MPLA). It is designed to generate discussion of the managerial and leadership challenges medical physicists can face. Through discussion and quantitative analysis, the case aims to teach learners basic finance concepts and build their ability to gather and analyze financial information for capital budgeting decisions. In this case, medical physicist Dr. Angel Allende is a junior physicist who started a new position at a cancer center with two linear accelerators. A recent upgrade outfitted one linear accelerator with state-of-the-art capabilities for image-guided stereotactic radiation therapy. Dr. Allende is tasked by the chief medical physicist to establish a new stereotactic quality assurance (QA) program at the cancer center. The physics team needs to prepare a business case for obtaining the necessary QA software and equipment. Unfortunately, Dr. Allende anticipates complications due to the existing budget appearing too low. Despite having never done capital budgeting before, Dr. Allende doesn't want to turn down this unique opportunity. This case study falls under the scope of and is supported by the MPLA, a committee in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM).