What is a medical physicist and how does one qualify?
Medical physicists are involved in ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of the equipment used in X-radiography, ultrasound scanning, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine. With doctors they assess and treat patients, supervise radiation doses and protect both patients and staff from potential radiation hazards. Additionally they are often involved in the design of new instruments. An honours degree in a physical or engineering science is a requirement. A two year training programme follows, leading to an MSc and the Diploma of the Institute of Physics and Engineering and Medicine (IPEM). The IPEM’s booklet Physics and Engineering in Medicine provides a useful insight into this profession.
