Medical physicists are concerned with the application of physics in medicine to enhance the health care of the community.
Medical physicists are primarily concerned with the medical application of radiation to assist doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. There are two kinds of radiation, namely ionising radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, high energy neutrons and electrons) and non-ionising radiation (ultrasound, radio waves, light and magnetic fields).
The most important applications of medical physics are in the following medical disciplines:
Radiotherapy: In radiotherapy, ionising radiations are therapeutically applied to treat malignant conditions such as cancer. Medical physicists are responsible for planning the radiation treatment of the patient and ensuring that the prescribed dose is accurately delivered. They must also ensure that the computerized planning system accurately simulates the radiation distribution that the patient will receive.
Nuclear medicine: Radionuclides are used in nuclear medicine to diagnose diseases. Images of the patient's organs can be acquired with a computerized scintillation camera after patients have received the required quantities of a specific radionuclide compound. Medical physicists help nuclear medicine physicians to develop techniques, for example for evaluation of the functioning of the heart or kidneys. They try to improve the methods of computer-assisted image processing and are also responsible for the safe handling of radiopharmaceuticals.
Radiology: Medical physicists are responsible for ensuring that X-ray equipment complies with safety requirements, that optimal exposure techniques are used and that quality control is performed regularly to ensure the best patient care and that patients and radiation workers are exposed to as little radiation as possible.
Excessive use of, and exposure to radiation is harmful and therefore, sources of radiation and its use are controlled by strict legislation. Medical physicists need to ensure compliance with the requirements that are set by legislation. Research also forms an important part of medical physicists' work. They may also be expected to train and lecture students in medical and related fields.
Satisfying Aspects
- saving patients' lives
- developing new methods that could improve the lives of others
Demanding aspects
- working in an environment that is full of pain, fear and despair
- dealing with frustration when a patient's treatment is unsuccessful
- working long hours.
Requirements
A medical physicist should:
- have above-average intelligence;
- be responsible, kind and tactful;
- work very accurately and methodically;
- be able to make quick and appropriate decisions under stress;
- be interested in the practical application of science to medicine;
- enjoy working with sick people;
- enjoy working with people
- emotionally stable
- able to reassure nervous patients and their relatives
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences
Training
Degree: A BSc with Physics as a major subject can be completed at any South African university. Wits offers a course in Medical Physics. This degree must be followed by a BSc (Hons) in Medical Physics - e.g. UFS
Practical training: After the Honours degree, candidates must follow experiential training (2 years) at a recognised institution, during which time they are usually employed by a hospital. To practice as a medical physicist, registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is required. The HPCSA regulations also provide the opportunity for students with postgraduate qualifications in Physics to qualify.
UCT, UL, UFS, US and Wits are recognised by the HPCSA for the training.
Employer
- Provincial and private hospitals
- Universities
- Medical companies and with specialist physicians
- The National Accelerator Centre
- Medical Research Council
- Nuclear plants
- Eskom
- Department of Health
- Self-employment, with enough experience, can open private practice
Contact
The Secretary
South African Medical Physics Society
Gene Louw Building
Tygerberg Hospital
Tygerberg, 7505
Tel: (021) 938-6027
Fax: (021) 931-0804
Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
P O Box 205
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 338-9300
Fax: (012) 328-5120
E-mail: hpcsa@hpcsa.co.za
www.hpcsa.co.za