Radiotherapy physics research in the UK: challenges and proposed solutions.
Affiliation
Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.Issue Date
2012-10
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In 2011, the Clinical and Translational Radiotherapy Research Working Group (CTRad) of the National Cancer Research Institute brought together UK radiotherapy physics leaders for a think tank meeting. Following a format that CTRad had previously and successfully used with clinical oncologists, 23 departments were asked to complete a pre-meeting evaluation of their radiotherapy physics research infrastructure and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within their own centre. These departments were brought together with the CTRad Executive Group and research funders to discuss the current state of radiotherapy physics research, perceived barriers and possible solutions. In this Commentary, we summarise the submitted materials, presentations and discussions from the meeting and propose an action plan. It is clear that there are challenges in both funding and staffing of radiotherapy physics research. Programme and project funding streams sometimes struggle to cater for physics-led work, and increased representation on research funding bodies would be valuable. Career paths for academic radiotherapy physicists need to be examined and an academic training route identified within Modernising Scientific Careers; the introduction of formal job plans may allow greater protection of research time, and should be considered. Improved access to research facilities, including research linear accelerators, would enhance research activity and pass on developments to patients more quickly; research infrastructure could be benchmarked against centres in the UK and abroad. UK National Health Service departments wishing to undertake radiotherapy research, with its attendant added value for patients, need to develop a strategy with their partner higher education institution, and collaboration between departments may provide enhanced opportunities for funded research.Citation
Radiotherapy physics research in the UK: challenges and proposed solutions. 2012, 85 (1018):1354-62 Br J RadiolJournal
British Journal of RadiologyDOI
10.1259/bjr/61530686PubMed ID
22972972Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1748-880Xae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1259/bjr/61530686
Scopus Count
Collections
Related articles
- Primary Care Research Team Assessment (PCRTA): development and evaluation.
- Authors: Carter YH, Shaw S, Macfarlane F
- Issue date: 2002 Feb
- The status of medical physics in radiotherapy in China.
- Authors: Yan H, Hu Z, Huang P, Men K, Zhang Y, Wang LH, Li YX, Dai JR, Hu YM
- Issue date: 2021 May
- Clinical trials in molecular radiotherapy-Tribulations and Triumphs Report of the NCRI CTRad meeting held at the Lift Islington, 8 June 2018.
- Authors: Falzone N, Gregory R, Aldridge M, Terry SY, Flux G
- Issue date: 2019 Aug
- Heavy charged particle beam therapy and related new radiotherapy technologies: The clinical potential, physics and technical developments required to deliver benefit for patients with cancer.
- Authors: Kirkby KJ, Kirkby NF, Burnet NG, Owen H, Mackay RI, Crellin A, Green S
- Issue date: 2020 Dec 1
- Guidelines for education and training of medical physicists in radiotherapy. Recommendations from an ESTRO/EFOMP working group.
- Authors: Eudaldo T, Huizenga H, Lamm IL, McKenzie A, Milano F, Schlegel W, Thwaites D, Heeren G, European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics
- Issue date: 2004 Feb