History - AAPM

8/12/2011History The advent of formalizing training of MedicalPhysicists came to fruition in the mid-1990s.Eric E. Klein, Ph.D.Residency Program Director, Washington UniversityFormer Chair of Residency Program Review CommitteeCareer Pathways: Current Necessary to ensure properly trained physicistsentering the profession, with training beyond graduateand/or post-doctoral training. The AAPM published an initial training elementsguide, which was recently updated. (Report 90, andongoing Work Group on Periodic Review of MedicalPhysics Residency Training)Career Pathways: 20141

8/12/2011Importance of Residencies In light of the recent New York Timesarticles and subsequent CongressionalHearings, it is clear that well-trainedphysicists are vital to Radiotherapy. Physicians were recently encouraged tohire only well-trained physicists, asevidenced by graduation from anaccredited residency program.(ASTRONews Spring 2011)With Residency as THE Path,Licensure Qualifications Cleaned UpConfusing NY Requirement:In principle, medical physics residents in the state of NY musthave a Limited Permit to start the clinical training under thesupervision of a Full Licensed Medical PhysicistExperience Requirement:To meet the experience requirement for licensure, you must present evidence ofcompletion of at least two years of full-time work experience or its equivalent in themedical physics specialty for which you seek licensure, including at least one year of fulltime work experience or its equivalent within the five years preceding the date ofapplication. The work experience must be within the practice of a medical physics specialty,in accordance with definitions of the specialty and the practice of medical physics inEducation Law. A year of full-time work experience or its equivalent means a minimum of1,200 clock hours in the medical physics specialty.NYT Series Included Medical Physicist FraudTHE RADIATION BOOMThey Check the Medical Equipment, but Who IsChecking Up on ThemBy WALT BOGDANICH and KRISTINA REBELOPublished: January 26, 2010In the eyes of those who hired him, NormanFenton was a model medical physicist —diligently protecting patients from the hazardsof too much medical radiation or too little.Patients Deserve the Best TrainedPhysicists ResidentsABR Oral Pass Rates 340 Individuals Took Part III in 2010 forRadiotherapy Physics 60% Pass Rate (typical) – 204 passed ABR does not (yet) track Residents vs. others My Survey of Accredited Programs had 55Resident Graduate takers, with 54 passing (98%). Therefore 150 of the remaining 285 (nonResidents) passed for a 53% pass rate2

8/12/2011ABR Oral Pass Rates With Pass Rates in the Upper 90%,we can raise the bar for the exam.Doubling RateOf 2.67 yrs A good thing for our profession !Recent CAMPEP NumbersAssumptions - Positive DemandTherapy Imaging One half of all new cancer patients are treated withAccredited Programs46Programs in CAMPEP votePrograms in active reviewPrograms awaitingreviewTotalProjected by 2014Projected yearly graduates6188110639081514023radiation therapy (ACS) The median number of new cancer patients managed by aFTE Radiation Oncology Physicists was measured as; 424 in 1995, 325 in 2002, and 304 in 2007 A working ROP is assumed to spend ¾ time on clinicalservice. Therefore the ratio of working ROPs to ClinicalFTEs is 1.33333 (Abt)3

8/12/2011Projected Demand/Supply Currently 100 Graduating Residentsper Year Projected to 140 by 2014Simple Data (AAPM Salary Survey) 332 respondents began full-timeemployment during 2007. Currently 250 Graduating MedicalPhysics Students Most Programs have not/will notReduce Of the 250, 175 are MS StudentsSimple Data (AAPM Salary Survey)Simple Data (AAPM Salary Survey) 332 respondents began full-time 332 respondents began full-timeemployment during 2007. 117 respondents began full-timeemployment during 2008.employment during 2007. 117 respondents began full-timeemployment during 2008. 96 respondents began full-timeemployment during 2010.4

8/12/2011Advertisement c2000What does it mean? We are seeking applications for clinically-orientedPOSITION:Faculty Radiation Oncology PhysicistsLOCATION:Division of PhysicsDepartment of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineBarnes-Jewish HospitalMallinckrodt Institute of RadiologySt. Louis, MissouriWe are seeking applications for clinically-oriented radiationoncology physicists. The position requires an M.S. or Ph.D. with aminimum of three years of clinical experience. The candidateshould have Board certification in radiation oncology physics or bein the certification process.Responsibilities include What does it mean?radiation oncology physicists. The position requiresan M.S. or Ph.D. with a minimum of three years ofclinical experience. The candidate should haveBoard certification in radiation oncology physics orbe in the certification process. M.S. or Ph.D. Clinical experience: Certification process:What does it mean? We are seeking applications for clinically-oriented We are seeking applications for clinically-orientedradiation oncology physicists. The position requiresan M.S. or Ph.D. with a minimum of three years ofclinical experience. The candidate should haveBoard certification in radiation oncology physics orbe in the certification process. M.S. or Ph.D. in what ? Geology, Astrophysics Clinical experience:radiation oncology physicists. The position requiresan M.S. or Ph.D. with a minimum of three years ofclinical experience. The candidate should haveBoard certification in radiation oncology physics orbe in the certification process. M.S. or Ph.D. in what ? Geology, Astrophysics Clinical experience: Could mean just about anything Post-doc who toured the clinic Certification process: Junior Physicist with no brachy or shielding experience Certification process:5

8/12/2011What does it mean? We are seeking applications for clinically-orientedradiation oncology physicists. The position requiresan M.S. or Ph.D. with a minimum of three years ofclinical experience. The candidate should haveBoard certification in radiation oncology physics orbe in the certification process. M.S. or Ph.D. in what ? Geology, Astrophysics Clinical experience: Could mean just about anythingAdvertisement c2014POSITION:Faculty Radiation Oncology PhysicistsLOCATION:Division of PhysicsDepartment of Radiation OncologyWashington University School of MedicineSiteman Cancer CenterBarnes-Jewish HospitalSt. Louis, Missouri Post-doc who toured the clinic Certification process: Applied for Part IWe are seeking applications from Graduating PhysicsResidents.Responsibilities include How do Residencies Affect Salaries?How do Residencies Affect Salaries? Junior Physicist with no brachy or shielding experienceIn 2004, I received a “Head Hunter” cold call looking forJunior Physicists to fill some roles in the SE.When I told him we had 2 graduating Physics Residents,In 2004, I received a “Head Hunter” cold call looking forJunior Physicists to fill some roles in the SE.When I told him we had 2 graduating Physics Residents,The reply: “Forget it, they will never pay Resident salaries”.6

8/12/2011How do Residencies Affect Salaries?In 2004, I received a “Head Hunter” cold call looking forJunior Physicists to fill some roles in the SE.When I told him we had 2 graduating Physics Residents,The reply: “Forget it, they will never pay Resident salaries”.This and similar anecdotes spell indicates, the bar is beingraised for entry level physicists – Residents.This has to translate into higher salaries.How do Residencies Affect Salaries?In 2004, I received a “Head Hunter” cold call looking forJunior Physicists to fill some roles in the SE.When I told him we had 2 graduating Physics Residents,The reply: “Forget it, they will never pay Resident salaries”.This and similar anecdotes spell indicates, the bar is beingraised for entry level physicists – Residents.This has to translate into higher salaries.No more bargains with recent graduates without training.Funding OptionsDon’t Pay ThemPay Two for the Price of OneTrade in Physics Position for Two ResidentsNegotiate for a Hospital Residency SlotUse Grants to Fund Research 2 years of ResidencyUse T-32 Training GrantIncrease Clinical Contract to Include Resident(s)OptimalEstablish CMS Funding via Paramedical EducationEstablish CMS Funding via GME RouteTerribleIn 2004, I received a “Head Hunter” cold call looking forJunior Physicists to fill some roles in the SE.When I told him we had 2 graduating Physics Residents,The reply: “Forget it, they will never pay Resident salaries”.This and similar anecdotes spell indicates, the bar is beingraised for entry level physicists – Residents.This has to translate into higher salaries.No more bargains with recent graduates without training.Though the weakened job market maybe overriding thatmomentum.How do Residencies Affect Salaries?7

8/12/2011CMS Funding An assured way to obtain funding is toobtain proper ACGME classification to allowfor CMS reimbursement. Fortunately, the ASTRO Board recognizesthis need and issued an importantstatement to SCAROP, supporting CMSreimbursement and asked DepartmentChairs to “lobby for sustained funding forphysics residency programs within theirinstitution.”Funding Options: CMS Funding viaGME Route:In negotiatingrecognition byCMS, they werepleased to seethe 2014 path.Good News: Verypositive in termsof recognitionand funding.Bad News:They don’t want toFund before then(2013).WE CANNOT CONSIDERPOSTPHONING THE2014 CHANGEFunding Options: CMS Funding viaGME Route:In negotiatingrecognition byCMS, they werepleased to seethe 2014 path.Good News: Verypositive in termsof recognitionand funding.Bad News:They don’t want toFund before then(2013).Is Medical Physics Course work sonecessary for a Physics Resident? A Berkeley doctoral graduate in Physics, who waspublished and referenced as best student ever, appliedto our program in 2007.8

8/12/2011Is Medical Physics Course work sonecessary for a Physics Resident?Is Medical Physics Course work sonecessary for a Physics Resident? A Berkeley doctoral graduate in Physics, who was A Berkeley doctoral graduate in Physics, who waspublished and referenced as best student ever, appliedto our program in 2007.published and referenced as best student ever, appliedto our program in 2007. No Medical Physics Coursework No Medical Physics Coursework Received in-house coursework on Radiotherapy Physics Received in-house coursework on Radiotherapy Physicsand Radiation Biologyand Radiation Biology Has since passed the BoardsIs Medical Physics Course work sonecessary for a Physics Resident? A Berkeley doctoral graduate in Physics, who wasDoes a Physicist have to be BoardCertified to Perform ClinicallyTranslatable Research?published and referenced as best student ever, appliedto our program in 2007. No Medical Physics Coursework Received in-house coursework on Radiotherapy Physicsand Radiation Biology Has since passed the Boards Taken over Treatment Planning Coordination Received Commercial Grant9