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Physical Society Colloquium
Ervin B. Podgorsak
Medical Physics Unit Medical physics is a branch of physics concerned with the application of physics to medicine, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease with ionizing radiation. The main areas of interest at present are in the treatment of cancer by ionizing radiation (radiation oncology), in diagnostic imaging with x rays, ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance (diagnostic radiology), in diagnostic imaging with radioisotopes (nuclear medicine), and in the study of radiation hazards and radiation protection (health physics). Medical physicists are generally involved in three areas of activities: clinical service and consultation; research and development; and teaching. Since medical physicists occupy a responsible position in the medical environment, they are required to have a broad background of education and experience. The requirement for basic education in physics and mathematics as well as specialized education in radiation physics is obvious, but the close working relationship of medical physicists with physicians and medical scientists also requires some familiarity with basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, genetics, and biochemistry.
Friday, January 14th 2000, 15:30 |