Navigating the medical physics education and training landscape

Abstract

PurposeThe education and training landscape has been profoundly reshaped by the ABR 2012/2014 initiative and the MedPhys Match. This work quantifies these changes and summarizes available reports, surveys, and statistics on education and training.MethodsWe evaluate data from CAMPEP‐accredited program websites, annual CAMPEP graduate and residency program reports, and surveys on the MedPhys Match and Professional Doctorate degree (DMP).ResultsFrom 2009–2015, the number of graduates from CAMPEP‐accredited graduate programs rose from 210 to 332, while CAMPEP‐accredited residency positions rose from 60 to 134. We estimate that approximately 60% of graduates of CAMPEP‐accredited graduate programs intend to enter clinical practice, however, only 36% of graduates were successful in acquiring a residency position in 2015. The maximum residency placement percentage for a graduate program is 70%, while the median for all programs is only 22%. Overall residency placement percentage for CAMPEP‐accredited program graduates from 2011–2015 was approximately 38% and 25% for those with a PhD and MS, respectively. The disparity between the number of clinically oriented graduates and available residency positions is perceived as a significant problem by over 70% of MedPhys Match participants responding to a post‐match survey. Approximately 32% of these respondents indicated that prior knowledge of this situation would have changed their decision to pursue graduate education in medical physics.ConclusionThese data reveal a substantial disparity between the number of residency training positions and graduate students interested in these positions, and a substantial variability in residency placement percentage across graduate programs. Comprehensive data regarding current and projected supply and demand within the medical physics workforce are needed for perspective on these numbers. While the long‐term effects of changes in the education and training infrastructure are still unclear, available survey data suggest that these changes could negatively affect potential entrants to the profession.

Expanding the reach of medical physics: Immunotherapy should be included as part of the curriculum for medical physics education and training

“…With the widespread implementation of specialized techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS/SBRT), the demand for qualified medical physicists has grown profoundly. To match this need, the education and training for medical physicist pre‐ and post‐graduation has seen an unprecedented change in past few years . Along with the clinical training, the research component of medical physics has also been encouraged; hence advanced.…”

“…The pursuit of certification has reshaped the educational pathway to become a practicing medical physicist. When the ABR introduced the 2012/2014 initiative, the path became very standardized; equivalent of a physics minor as an undergraduate, a fixed core curriculum as a graduate student and final clinical training as a resident, both from CAMPEP accredited institutions . To become accredited, CAMPEP requires that institutions have qualified faculty that teach a specific core curriculum to prepare students to enter the field of medical…”

Changes and demands in the higher education sector are increasingly making advanced degree medical physics programs nonviable and the profession will have to develop a new model for delivering such education

“…Alternatively, we could allow the free market to correct for the potential surplus in these programs by requiring them to post their residency placement statistics. Loughery et al . have reported that between 2011 and 2015, placement rates for only ten programs were > 50%; four programs had 0%, and 11 others had < 20%.…”

Improving Research in Radiation Oncology through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

“…While the current supply of radiation oncologists and radiation oncology physicists is sufficient to meet clinical demand ( 7, 8 ), there is a strong need to further invest in our research infrastructure if we are to contribute significantly to future improvements in cancer care. As suggested in a recently published editorial, ‘‘‘.…”

“…In fact, more trainees with a Ph.D. in addition to their medical degree are matching into radiation oncology residency positions than into any other medical specialty ( 9 ). In addition, we are currently producing significantly more medical physics graduates than we can expect to be absorbed into clinical practice ( 8 ). In stark contrast, radiobiologists are becoming scarce, both in the clinical setting and in research institutions ( 2, 10, 11 ).…”