What do physicists and dosimetrists do?
Lydia Komarnicky, M.D.: Physicists and dosimetrists are critical to any radiation therapy department. They make sure the equipment is functioning correctly, that the dose delivery is correct, the charts are checked on a regular basis, and the quality of the radiation beam is intact. They are responsible for the quality of the radiation equipment and the correct functioning of that portion of the department. Dosimetrists help the physician actually work out the radiation treatment plan–the 3-dimensional treatment plan—and help us to determine the angles of the beam. A good dosimetrist is hard to find and keep, but they’re worth their weight in gold.
