RCA Project (RAS/6/038) on Strengthening Medical Physics through Education and Training: National Project Coordinators Meeting Dhaka, Bangladesh, 26-28 May 2008. Meeting Objectives Donald McLean Technical Officer

Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA) Members

RCA countries Mongolia Korea Japan China Pakistan Bangladesh India Myanmar Thailand Philippines Vietnam Sri Lanka Malaysia Singapore Indonesia Australia New Zealand

East Asia 1.2 Billion South Asia 1 Billion South East Asia 0.5 Billion

Strengthening Medical Physics through Education and Training National projects Strengthening Medical Physics through Education and Training AFOMP + other meetings Regional Training courses

South East Asia  Medical physics education and training, especially in the developing countries, has been receiving a lot of attention recently. There are 4 South East Asian countries conducting medical physics graduate programs, viz. Indonesia (1), Malaysia (2), Philippines (1) & Thailand (4). Currently there is no requirement and emphasis for continuous professional development (CPD) but workshops and refresher courses have been organized periodically. South Asia? East Asia? KH Ng

Previous assistance to establish or strengthen academic programmes in Asia PHI/6/015    Medical Physics (Phase II)   A post-graduate programme in medical physics was established at the Graduate School of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila with Agency assistance provided under Project PHI/6/010 (completed in 1989) Philippines (completed in 1989) – external advisors Thailand Pakistan (on going) – training of lecturer staff + fact finding mission + some equipment. Indonesia (applied 2007)

What do the experts say? The present complement of 30 medical physicists is to be augmented by the stated goal of some 5 medical physicists per year …. This would appear to be an order of magnitude too low… D Goodenough 1991

Cf. USA 12 UK 30 Aus 10 2.4 3.2 1.6 0.3 0.6 KH Ng

Academic education Diagnostic Radiology Handbook underway 24 chapters + 2 appendices Completion in 2009. Nuclear Medicine Handbook scheduled to start in 2008. Support of MSc programmes through TC support in an increasing number of member states

Qualification and Duties according to the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics Source Policy Statement Nr. 9 Principles of Education and Training (Qualification) The Medical Physics Expert should first have a basic education in physical sciences, engineering or equivalent that provides an adequate scientific basis in radiation physics to the level of a diploma or masters degree.

This education must be followed by structured training including further theoretical courses and 2 - 3 years practical training in one or more of the sub-specialities to become a qualified medical physicist. This training should include the legal aspects of the application of radiation in medicine and the responsibilities of the Competent Authority in radiation protection. Practical experience should involve working in a clinical environment under the professional supervision of a qualified medical physicist who is a Medical Physics Expert.

AFOMP data: post-graduate education and clinical training Country Post-graduate Programs (Master, PhD) Required on-the-job training Certification or Accreditation Australia  Bangladesh ?  China ? Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Mongolia Nepal New Zealand Philippines Singapore South Korea Taiwan Thailand AFOMP data: post-graduate education and clinical training of medical physicists

Vision of the RCA Project RAS6038 Clinical Training Program Vision of the RCA Project RAS6038 Develop and document a clinical training program which is: Competency based Well documented End point - qualified to work unsupervised Modular in design Adaptable to suit individual country needs Adaptable to suit the entry level of the individual

The following regions and countries, outside of RCA, have requested our clinical training material Arab states Latin America Bosnia

Meeting Objective To engage in a two way flow of information on the work of RAS6038. To assist Member States who are wanting to be in the pilot programme for clinical training. To examine the work plan and confirm the project direction.

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