AAPM Task Group 103 report on peer review in clinical radiation oncology physics

Abstract

This report provides guidelines for a peer review process between two clinical radiation oncology physicists. While the Task Group's work was primarily focused on ensuring timely and productive independent reviews for physicists in solo practice, these guidelines may also be appropriate for physicists in a group setting, particularly when dispersed over multiple separate clinic locations. To ensure that such reviews enable a collegial exchange of professional ideas and productive critique of the entire clinical physics program, the reviews should not be used as an employee evaluation instrument by the employer. Such use is neither intended nor supported by this Task Group. Detailed guidelines are presented on the minimum content of such reviews, as well as a recommended format for reporting the findings of a review. In consideration of the full schedules faced by most clinical physicists, the process outlined herein was designed to be completed in one working day.PACS numbers: 87.53.Xd, 87.90.+y

Predictors of breast radiotherapy plan modifications: Quality assurance rounds in a large cancer centre

“…The necessity of a QA process has been re-iterated in several publications [18,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. It is recognized by many professional associations such as the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) [31], and is a requirement for accreditation with the American College of Radiology [32].…”

Quality Assurance for Clinical Trials

“…A dosimetry review audit has been recommended by several organizations, including the AAPM and the IAEA ( 57 , 58 ). An independent on-site audit is especially important for solo practitioners but is a valuable exercise for all practicing clinical medical physicists.…”

The Need for Quality Control in High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

“…The dose calculation algorithm of the treatment planning systems uses the TG 43 data [11,12], which is the best approach at the present time. This step should include a review of the patient identification data, the imaging acquisition protocols, the data transfer to the TPS and the results of the independent checks.…”