Future goals of EFOMP in education, profession and science

Science, R & D Education & Training Professional affairs Medical Physics in Europe The „temple of Medical Physics“

The most urgent open problems  Regular education and training programs are missing in many European countries (see contr. T Eudaldo)  Harmonisation is urgently required How EFOMP can contribute:  Help NMOs to develop MP education and training schemes  Establish own ressources: ESMP ENMPS Education and Training

EFOMP recommendations on Education, Training and CPD of Medical Physicists Continuing Professional Development: 5 - year cycle credit point system Special Courses, Workshops, Congresses etc., Self-directed learning Registration as Specialist Medical Physicist [eq. Medical Physics Expert] Postgraduate Training: Theory : hours formal courses Practicals: min. 2 yrs hospital practice Basic Degree: Physics, Engineering or equivalent University Registration as Qualified Medical Physicist Hospital (On-the-job training)

European School of Medical Physics (ESMP, jointly organized by ESI and EFOMP) 5 consecutive one week courses Ultrasound and MRI Imaging Computing Radiotherapy Brachytherapy EFOMP Travel Award and the EFOMP ESMP Award ESMP in Archamps/France Education & Training EFOMP Operational Platform Under preparation: week 6- radiation protection and dosimetry

The current situation of Medical Physics in Europe > <5 Medical Physics as a profession The countries which are members of EFOMP have a combined population of 870 million people, and the average number of Medical Physicists in these countries is 7.6/million. However there is a wide range, from well below 1 per million to over 30.

Only 40% of the European countries have an official government accreditation for Medical Physicists In 15 countries there is an unofficial accreditation (by societies,universities etc.) Medical Physics (MP) as a profession The most urgent open problems Mobility of MPs between countries is still a problem In the majority of European countries, Medical Physics is not considered to be a regulated profession

How EFOMP could contribute: Medical Physics (MP) as a profession MP is not listed on the list of professions of the ILO

 Medical Physics is poorly represented as a science in Europe (only very few independent departments or Chairs for Medical Physics at Universities or research institutions) The most urgent open problems Science  Medical Physics as a science is distributed to many different areas and scientific societies (ESTRO, EANM, ESMRBM, ESR,...)

The evolution of Medical Physics Physics of Ionizing Radiation: X-ray imaging, radiotherapy 1900 Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology Medical Physics in Imaging 1950 today Nuclear Medicine X-rays,CT Magnetic Resonance Imaging Ultrasound ESTRO ESR EANM ESMRMB EFSUMB

PET MRI fMRI MRS stronger magnetic fields (3T + 7T) Improved resolution faster sequences 2D/ 3D/ 4D imaging Integrated cone beam imaging/ tomotherapy Real-time imaging, 4D US MRI ?? Radiation Oncology The future: imaging and radiation oncology are coming together again New tracers Molecular Profiling

 Cross-disciplinary research networks that include expert groups from both fields. My vision is that EFOMP develops into a roof- organisation providing:  Common workshops, seminars and conferences to improve communication and education across the disciplines.  Collaboration on training and education among relevant professional and learned societies. Science

Evolution of EFOMP  Turn EFOMP into a legal body (allowing participation in official projects)  Introduce personal membership ?  Improve relations to the other scientific societies Overall goal: Strengthen EFOMP as a professional and scientific society  organize independent scientific conferences („European conferences on Medical Physics“)  Introduce a scientific journal (Physica Medica European Journal of Medical Physics) done On the way Requires change of the constitution Under discussion

EFOMP and the Future Building European bridges Education Training CPD Recognition Freedom of Movement