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Gypsie
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Can anybody tell me the differences between a clinical medical physicist and a medical dosimetrist?
Choppy said:A medical physicist has a much broader scope and higher level of responsibilities. Radiation oncology physicists commission and/or develop new equipment, new treatment approaches, and new software that comes into the clinic and further establish the protocols for using them. They are responsible for developing and maintaining quality assurance programs and calibrating linear accelerators and other equipment used in radiation therapy. They oversee the treatment planning process. They administate the treatment planning software, the simulation software, the treatment software and the network that connects them. They offer consults on complex plans, and check plans before they proceed to treatment. They often also adopt radiation safety roles. On top of all of this, they also do research. They have a background in physics, usually graduate school and a clinical residency.
A medical dosimetrist is generally responsible for individual treatment plans. They are the ones who will do most of the work designing treatment fields, optimizing plans, creating treatment charts, checking plans, consulting with physicians, etc. Some are also tasked with the initial scanning of the patients. They will usually start out as radiation therapists and go through additional training to qualify as a dosimetrist.
Mirin said:I'm wondering the same thing as the OP, and this pretty much answers my question. Is medical dosimetry a good field from which work up towards medical physics? For example, if you obtained a master's in health/medical physics and started working as a dosimetrist, would you be eligible to later pursue a Ph.D in medical physics and work your way up?
Choppy said:Usually, if you're trained as a medical physicist and want to do just treatment planning, you would work as a medical physicist doing treatment plans, not as a dosimetrist.
What qualifies you for the PhD in medical physics is a background in physics. So if you have an undergradaute degree in physics and then do a masters degree in medical physics, you're qualified to do a PhD in medical physics, even if you go work in a completely different field for a few years first. (Note that "qualified" is not equivalent to "competative.") Some people will, for example, go and work for a company in the field for a few years before completing their education or pursuing a residency.
What you can't do is work your way up from therapist to dosimetrist to physicist.
You'll note I said that you can't WORK your way up.JHKS said:What has been said on here is MOSTLY true. You're last statement is not however.
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and then you'll have to work and study and go to school for medical physics
JHKS said:Oh...just a note about a statement someone else made, most medical physicists have nothing to do with developing new treatment machines/modalities.
I agree with JHKS.Choppy said:Could you explain this further? It's quite contrary to my experience.
JHKS said:To start, I worked as a physicist in a Radiation Oncology department for a university hospital for 8 years and our Med. Phys. program was a top 5. What has been said on here is MOSTLY true. You're last statement is not however. It is very possible to work from being a therapist to dosimetrist to physicist. It is a ton of work though. ALL of our dosimetrists were required to have been working/licensed radiation therapists for at least two years before beginning their dosimetry training. That being said, everyone does it differently. What makes it so hard is that you have to be trained as a therapist - most places will not want to go the route of OJT - they will want you to go to a training program and most of those want you to have been a licensed x-ray tech before attending but a back ground in physics might do the trick but you better have a good bedside manner or they'll show you the door. After all that you have to get dosimetry training which means OJT and dosimetry school and yes because of ACR guidelines this is necessary and then you'll have to work and study and go to school for medical physics. It's a tough and long route.
Diaby2AFC said:So it's basically pointless to try to get into a dosimetry program without a radiation therapy background?
Choppy said:What you can't do is work your way up from therapist to dosimetrist to physicist.
jennykeith said:Also, dosimetrists with a background in physics become medical physicists. It's considered a way to get your foot in the door when you don't have an MS in medical physics, but just physics. You work a few years as a dosimetrist then become a junior medical physicist, then a physicist. I've seen it happen many times. You just have to educate yourself.
However, to be an ABR certified medical physicist, you now have to have a residency. But some institutions, especially private, for-profit companies, will hire non-ABR physicists. And you can still work as a physicist to gain experience then go through a residency later to take your boards.
jennykeith said:This is so NOT true.
Therapists are trained in house to be dosimetrists. Until recently this was STANDARD. And then the therapist goes on to take their cmd exam and become certified. Maybe takes some additional courses. Only recently have dosimetry programs popped up.
Also, dosimetrists with a background in physics become medical physicists. It's considered a way to get your foot in the door when you don't have an MS in medical physics, but just physics. You work a few years as a dosimetrist then become a junior medical physicist, then a physicist. I've seen it happen many times. You just have to educate yourself.
However, to be an ABR certified medical physicist, you now have to have a residency. But some institutions, especially private, for-profit companies, will hire non-ABR physicists. And you can still work as a physicist to gain experience then go through a residency later to take your boards.
Medical Physics is a broad field that applies principles of physics to diagnose and treat diseases. It involves the use of imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI, and ultrasound to help in diagnosis, as well as radiation therapy and nuclear medicine to treat diseases. Medical Dosimetry, on the other hand, is a specialized subfield of Medical Physics that specifically focuses on the calculation and delivery of radiation doses for cancer treatment.
Both Medical Physics and Medical Dosimetry require a strong foundation in physics, mathematics, and biology. Typically, a bachelor's degree in physics or a related field is required for entry into a graduate program in Medical Physics or Medical Dosimetry. A master's or doctoral degree in Medical Physics or a related field is also necessary for a career in these fields. Additionally, a residency program and certification exams are required for Medical Dosimetrists.
Medical Physicists and Medical Dosimetrists work closely together in the treatment planning and delivery of radiation therapy for cancer patients. Medical Physicists are responsible for ensuring the safe and accurate delivery of radiation therapy, while Medical Dosimetrists use advanced computer software to calculate the dose distribution and create a treatment plan based on the radiation prescription from the physician. Both professionals work together to ensure the best possible treatment for the patient.
While some professionals may have training and experience in both fields, it is not common for someone to work as both a Medical Physicist and a Medical Dosimetrist. This is because both fields require specialized knowledge and skills, and it can be challenging to maintain expertise in both areas. However, some Medical Physicists may have a background in Medical Dosimetry and may work closely with Medical Dosimetrists in their practice.
Medical Physics and Medical Dosimetry are constantly evolving fields, and there are many advancements being made in both areas. Some recent advancements include the use of proton therapy and other advanced radiation techniques, as well as the development of new imaging technologies for better diagnosis and treatment planning. Additionally, advancements in computer software and technology have led to more precise and personalized treatments for cancer patients.