Medical physics, while not always visible in the foreground, plays an extremely important role in the world of medicine. People working in this field, known as medical physicists, are essential in many aspects of diagnosis and therapy, including radiation therapy. Below, we'll discuss what a medical physicist does and their main responsibilities.
What is a medical physicist?
A medical physicist is a specialist who uses the principles of physics to ensure the safe and effective use of radiation and technology in medicine. Although their work is often invisible to patients, it has played a key role in the development of many modern methods of diagnosis and treatment.
What are the responsibilities of a medical physicist?
The range of duties of a medical physicist is wide and depends on his specialty and place of work. In the context of radiation therapy, the medical physicist has key tasks to perform.
Planning and.monitoring of therapy
Medical physicists are often involved in planning radiation therapy. With their knowledge of physics, they can calculate exactly how radiation will move through the body and affect tissues, allowing them to precisely target the rays to the tumor.
The medical physicist also monitors the course of the therapy, assessing how the radiation is delivered and how it affects the patient's body. This is crucial to ensure that the therapy is both effective and safe.
Equipment management and maintenance
Medical physics is inextricably linked to advanced medical equipment, such as linear gas pedals used in radiation therapy and CT scanners. The medical physicist is responsible for managing this equipment, including calibration and maintenance, to ensure that it operates properly and safely.
Research and development
Medical physicists are also actively involved in research and development. Medical physicists are working on new techniques and technologies that can improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
Educational requirements and qualifications
To work as a medical physicist, you need a degree in physics or a related field, followed by specialized training in medical physics. Many medical physicists also hold doctoral degrees. In addition, medical physicists must earn a certificate from a relevant organization to validate their knowledge and skills.
Applications
The role of the medical physicist is crucial in modern medicine. With their knowledge and skills, it is possible to use radiation safely and effectively in diagnosis and treatment. Although their work is often invisible to patients, without medical physicists many modern therapies and diagnostic procedures simply would not exist.
