What is Medical Physics?

Introduction

Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance, Computed Tomography, Nuclear Medicine, X-rays, Radiation Therapy,
are all branches of medical physics where continued research is being conducted by a very large group of
dedicated researchers consisting of highly qualified physicists, engineers and radiologists. The field of
medical physics as we know it today started with the discovery of x-rays and radioactivity in the 1890's.
The first radiograph was taken by the physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen (1845-1923) in his Wurzburg
University laboratory in Germany. It was a radiograph of his wife's hand. For his thorough scientific
investigations of x-rays he received the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

Physicists were also pivotal in using radiation as a treatment for cancer. We can be very proud that
Canadian physicist, Harold Johns (1915-1998), developed in the late 1940s the first Cobalt Therapy Unit.
For his continued dedication and research he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1976. The
medical profession also honoured Dr. Johns by inducting him into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in
1998.

Physicists have contributed positively to the advancement of the diagnostic and therapeutic fields of
medicine. They will continue to play a primary role in the development of physical principles to
medicine.

Medical Physics is the application of physics to medicine. It uses physics concepts and procedures in the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Medical Physics fulfils a key role in medicine, in biological
and medical research, and in the optimisation of certain health related activities. Medical Physics includes
areas such as Radiotherapy physics, Diagnostic Radiology physics, Nuclear Medicine Physics, and
Radiation Protection. Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine are often grouped in what is termed as
“Diagnostic Imaging”, although there are therapeutic aspects of Nuclear Medicine associated with
Radiation Therapy.

Other areas of interest in Medical Physics include the measurement of ionising radiation, magnetic
resonance imaging, and the application of lasers, ultrasound, and other technologies which utilise physics
concepts as applied to medicine. The scope of duties of medical physicists covers a wide array of activities
in modern hospitals where radiation technology is used. As part of a team of health professionals, medical
physicists play a significant role in assuring the safe and effective use of radiation in medicine. These goals
of quality are achieved using QA/QC protocols in the context of radiation-related technologies, radiation
therapy dose planning and verification, diagnostic image optimization and dose reduction, and data
management and analysis, all of which are based on an in depth understanding of radiation physics
principles and radiation technology.
Who are Medical Physicists?

Medical physicists are health care professionals with specialized training in the medical applications of
physics. Their work often involves the use of x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic and electric fields, infra-red
and ultraviolet light, heat and lasers in diagnosis and therapy. Most medical physicists work in hospital
diagnostic imaging departments, cancer treatment facilities, or hospital-based research establishments.
Others work in universities, government, and industry.

What do Medical Physicists do?

Most medical physicists work in one or more of the following areas:

 Clinical Service
The responsibilities of a clinical medical physicist lie predominantly in the areas of radiotherapy
and diagnostic imaging. The roles of a medical physicist in radiotherapy include treatment
planning and radiotherapy machine design, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting. The roles of
a medical physicist in diagnostic imaging include machine purchasing and installation, testing,
quality control, and operation.

 Radiation Safety
Medical physicists have expertise in radiation safety. Various national regulations recognize
certified medical physicists as Radiation Safety Officers for medical radioisotope facilities.

 Research and Development

 Teaching
Most medical physicists are affiliated with universities. Many medical physicists teach in
graduate and undergraduate medical physics and physics programs. They also teach radiology
and radiation oncology residents, medical students, and radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear
medicine technologists.