A special report of current state of the medical physicist workforce — results of the 2012 ASTRO Comprehensive Workforce Study

Lesson plans were developed to present concepts of medical physics and radiation therapy to a middle school audience. These workshop learning units relied on hands‐on participation and collaboration within student groups to acquaint students with computed tomography simulation and treatment planning processes. These lesson plans were delivered at two different educational outreach programs targeted at student groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The lesson plans are scheduled to be delivered at a third program in the future. The activities were used to introduce occupations in medical physics and radiation therapy as possible career opportunities for students, and to generate enthusiasm for continuing STEM education. Lesson plans are available upon request for educators interested in exploring medical physics educational outreach activities in their communities.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hands‐on introduction to medical physics and radiation therapy for middle school students

Fagerstrom

Gao

Robertson

2019

“…The DMP was promoted as an alternative to a residency pathway1 at a time when there was a shortage of formal clinical training programs. It is unclear whether there remains a shortage of residency positions, and while comprehensive workforce studies have been previously undertaken,12, 36, 45 additional data will be required to answer this question.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the situation 10 yr ago, the supply of graduates of CAMPEP‐accredited graduate programs is now greater than the clinical demand 12. While the number of accredited residency positions has increased dramatically in response to the new ABR exam eligibility requirements (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Navigating the medical physics education and training landscape

Loughery

Starkschall

Hendrickson

et al. 2017

PurposeThe education and training landscape has been profoundly reshaped by the ABR 2012/2014 initiative and the MedPhys Match. This work quantifies these changes and summarizes available reports, surveys, and statistics on education and training.MethodsWe evaluate data from CAMPEP‐accredited program websites, annual CAMPEP graduate and residency program reports, and surveys on the MedPhys Match and Professional Doctorate degree (DMP).ResultsFrom 2009–2015, the number of graduates from CAMPEP‐accredited graduate programs rose from 210 to 332, while CAMPEP‐accredited residency positions rose from 60 to 134. We estimate that approximately 60% of graduates of CAMPEP‐accredited graduate programs intend to enter clinical practice, however, only 36% of graduates were successful in acquiring a residency position in 2015. The maximum residency placement percentage for a graduate program is 70%, while the median for all programs is only 22%. Overall residency placement percentage for CAMPEP‐accredited program graduates from 2011–2015 was approximately 38% and 25% for those with a PhD and MS, respectively. The disparity between the number of clinically oriented graduates and available residency positions is perceived as a significant problem by over 70% of MedPhys Match participants responding to a post‐match survey. Approximately 32% of these respondents indicated that prior knowledge of this situation would have changed their decision to pursue graduate education in medical physics.ConclusionThese data reveal a substantial disparity between the number of residency training positions and graduate students interested in these positions, and a substantial variability in residency placement percentage across graduate programs. Comprehensive data regarding current and projected supply and demand within the medical physics workforce are needed for perspective on these numbers. While the long‐term effects of changes in the education and training infrastructure are still unclear, available survey data suggest that these changes could negatively affect potential entrants to the profession.

“…While the drivers and consequences of burnout within medical physicists are not well characterized, many medical physicists also share these chaotic work environments. It is postulated that these challenging conditions exist within the work life of the medical physicist as well, and in addition to this high workload, may contribute to the 40% burnout rate of medical physicists …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer support: A needs assessment for social support from trained peers in response to stress among medical physicists

Johnson

Ford

et al. 2019

Purpose Previous studies suggest that within radiation oncology, medical physicists (MP) experience high workloads. Little is known about how MPs use social support (SS) in times of stress. Methods In collaboration with the Workgroup on Prevention of Medical Error, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine administered this Human Investigation Committee (HIC) approved email survey to 8566 members. Respondents were considered likely to seek SS if they answered (probably/definitely would) and unlikely to seek support if they answered (probably/definitely would not). Logistic regression was applied to determine associations between demographic factors and willingness to seek support as well as perception of barriers. Results One thousand two hundred and ninety‐seven members (15.1%) accessed and gave consent for the survey. One thousand and one (11.7%) respondents answered all relevant questions. Respondents were predominantly male (69.1%), MP in radiation oncology (81.8%), private practice (51.6%), with practice duration> 10 yr (60.2%). MPs were likely to seek SS for personal physical illness (78.63%), involvement in a medical error (73.94%) or adverse patient outcome (75.17%). MPs sought SS in the setting of personal fatigue (33.2%) or burnout (44.3%). Barriers to seeking SS were lack of time (80.3%), and uncertainty about whom to access (70.7%). MPs responded that they would be most likely to seek support from an equally experienced medical physicist colleague (81.0%). Most MPs (67.0%) identified as having experienced stressors, with serious family illness (35.2%), or burnout (32.8%) being most common. Factors associated with MPs unwillingness to seek SS for medical error included> 20 yr in practice (vs still in training — OR 0.30, P = 0.015), and male gender (OR 0.60, P = 0.003). Male gender was associated with the lowest willingness to seek support (OR 2.10, P = 0.0001), but also with fewer perceived barriers (OR 1.60, P = 0.0075). Conclusion Willingness to seek SS is demonstrated, and MPs want colleagues to provide support. Given these results, peer support could be considered among MPs.