Radiotherapy physics research in the UK: challenges and proposed solutions.
(17/20)
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. (+info)
Ethics and professionalism in medical physics: a survey of AAPM members.
(18/20)
Toxic agent and radiation control: progress toward objectives for the nation for the year 1990.
(19/20)
In 1980, the Department of Health and Human Services set national prevention objectives for 1990 in 15 health priority areas, 1 of which is the control of toxic agents and radiation. Ten objectives related to this area are priorities for the national control effort. Progress is reviewed on those priorities within the responsibilities of the Public Health Service. Six key program elements, or types of support activities, are deemed essential to preventing, identifying, and controlling toxic agent and radiation threats. Significant progress has been made toward achieving objectives for which all key program elements have been successfully implemented to provide the requisite know-how, manpower, and tools. Important advances have been made in reducing the blood lead levels of the population, reducing unnecessary exposure to medical X-rays, evaluating the toxicities of chemicals in toxic waste dumps, and improving the scientific and technical information base and its availability for prevention and control efforts. The most important priority for the forseeable future will be to expand our knowledge of potential health risks posed by toxic agents and radiation. Expanded surveillance systems and data bases are essential to determining the extent of the problems in terms of human health effects and for measuring the impact of prevention programs. Emphasis on the activities embodied in the key elements will encourage the expansion of the knowledge base and its effective application to prevention and control problems. (+info)
Assessment of the action of mixed irradiation.
(20/20)
Problems associated with the environmental and health perspectives of mixed irradiation are identified and the application of theoretical models is discussed. Four definitions of synergism were examined with regard to the action of mixed irradiation, and it was determined that all these definitions are inappropriate. Thus, I concluded that the term synergism or its synonym should not be used for the action of mixed irradiation unless a reasonable definition and evidence of the mechanism are provided. The Zaider-Rossi model and the extended Zaider-Rossi model, which can be applied to any type of mixed irradiation with two types of radiation, are useful for assessing the effects of mixed irradiation using the parameters for two types of single irradiation. Furthermore, models were proposed for very short and very long simultaneous mixed irradiation with multiple types of radiation. These models also would be helpful to assess the environmental and health perspectives of mixed irradiation. (+info)