Evaluation of the impact of an international master of advanced studies in medical physics

Abstract

The Master of advanced studies in Medical Physics (MMP) has been jointly organized since 2014 by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and Trieste University and supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), through the work of the Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section (DMRP), Division of Human Health (NAHU) and the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme. The MMP, offers one academic year of theoretical classes followed by one year of structured clinical training in hospitals. It aims at addressing the scarcity of formal education and training schemes for medical physics studies, through an internationally harmonized programme that provides graduates with an academic knowledge and practical skills and competencies, to effectively practice medical physics once back to their home countries and Regions. Adequate academic education and structured clinical training of medical physicists play an important role in ensuring the safe and effective use of nuclear technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. To evaluate the impact of the MMP, an online survey was developed and distributed to the graduates of the first two cycles of the programme, in March 2017, considering different aspects contributing to the overall fulfilment of the MMP aims. Criteria comprised: the activity of the graduates before and after the MMP, return rate to their home country and work activities performed after the degree. Specific feedback was also analysed about the MMP programme. The analysis of the 22 received answers (85% of all graduates at the time of the survey) is presented in this article.