NEWS AND EVENTS
Year : 2013 | Volume
: 38 | Issue : 4 | Page : 212--215
News and Events
Tharmarnadar Ganesh
Chief Medical Physicist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Fortis memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Correspondence Address:
Tharmarnadar Ganesh
Chief Medical Physicist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Fortis memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana
India
How to cite this article:
Ganesh T. News and Events.J Med Phys 2013;38:212-215
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How to cite this URL:
Ganesh T. News and Events. J Med Phys [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Feb 7 ];38:212-215
Available from: https://www.jmp.org.in/text.asp?2013/38/4/212/121201 |
Full Text
International Conference on Medical Physics (ICMP 2013) concludes in Brighton, United Kingdom
The ICMP 2013 was hosted by Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) on behalf of International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) in Brighton, UK during 1-4 September 2013. This 4-day event based on the theme "New Horizons - Global and Scientific" was attended by 835 people and featured 312 international speakers, 212 posters, and an exhibition.
The conference also celebrated the 50 th Anniversary of the foundation of the IOMP. To mark this event, 50 eminent medical physicists from all around the world who had made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of medical physics and healthcare through research, clinical developments, education and training activities, service development, and to professional matters over the last 50 years were felicitated. It is a matter of pride for the Indian Medical Physics community that Dr. A. S. Pradhan and Dr. M. M. Rehani figured among the honored medical physicists. In the citation awarded to Dr. Pradhan, his contribution as the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Medical Physics (JMP) was highlighted among his various other achievements.
Professor Sue Hill, the Chief Scientific Officer of National Health Service (NHS) England, presented her vision for the healthcare science workforce and talked about some of the challenges facing the professions in the future. A review of models of medical physics and clinical engineering service provision is being planned by NHS England.
During the conference a book was also launched titled "Physicists and Physicians: A History of Medical Physics from the Renaissance to Rφntgen" by Professor Francis Duck.
From: http://www.ipem.ac.uk/Newsletter/Sept_13/ICMP.aspx
https://rpop.iaea.org/RPOP/RPoP/Content/UpcomingEvents/20th-international-conference-medical-physics.htm
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) releases list of five radiation oncology treatments to question as part of national Choosing Wisely; campaign
On September 23, 2013 the ASTRO released its list of five radiation oncology-specific treatments that are commonly ordered, but may not always be appropriate as part of the national Choosing Wisely; campaign, an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation. ASTRO's five recommendations are:
Do not initiate whole breast radiotherapy as a part of breast conservation therapy in women aged ≥ 50 years with early stage invasive breast cancer without considering shorter treatment schedules.Do not initiate management of low-risk prostate cancer without discussing active surveillance.Do not routinely use extended fractionation schemes (> 10 fractions) for palliation of bone metastases.Do not routinely recommend proton beam therapy for prostate cancer outside of a prospective clinical trial or registry.Do not routinely use intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to deliver whole breast radiotherapy as part of breast conservation therapy.
ASTRO's Choosing Wisely; list was developed after several months of careful consideration and thorough review, using the most current evidence about management and treatment options.
An initiative of the ABIM Foundation, Choosing Wisely is focused on encouraging physicians, patients, and other healthcare stakeholders to think and talk about medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary, and in some instances can cause harm.
To spark these conversations, leading specialty societies, like ASTRO, have created lists of "Things Physicians and Patients Should Question"-evidence-based recommendations that should be discussed to help make wise decisions about the most appropriate care based on a patients' individual situation. With more than 50 specialties already joined, Image Wisely campaign expects that by early 2014 more than 30 specialties will come out with their own lists.
From: https://www.astro.org/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/News_and_Media/News_Releases/2013/Choosing_Wisely_PR_FINAL_091713.pdf
https://www.astro.org/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/News_and_Media/News_Releases/2013/ASTRO%20ChoosingWisely%20List_FINAL_092313.pdf
First Medical Physics Practice Guideline (MPPG) published by American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM)
On September 5, 2013 the first MPPG titled: AAPM Medical Physics Practice Guideline 1.a.: CT Protocol Management and Review Practice Guideline was published in the Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP).
This marks the first of many anticipated MPPGs. The goal of the MPPGs is to help advance the practice of clinical medical physics in the United States by defining the minimum level of medical physics support that the AAPM would consider to be prudent in all practice settings for specific clinical services. Existing medical physics practice guidelines will be reviewed for the purpose of revision or renewal, as appropriate, on their fifth anniversary or sooner.
Each medical physics practice guideline has undergone a thorough consensus process in which it has been subjected to extensive review, and requires the approval of the AAPM's Professional Council. The medical physics practice guidelines recognize that the safe and effective use of radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic applications requires specific training, appropriate processes, and sufficient resources; as described in each document.
From: http://aapm.org/announcements/MPPG1a.asp
AAPM releases updated Diagnostic Radiology Residents Physics Curriculum
The curriculum was originally published in 2009 and has been now updated in August 2013.
From: http://aapm.org/announcements/CurriculumUpdated.asp
Image Wisely; Develops New Radiation Safety Education Tool for Imaging Professionals
Image Wisely; recently launched its first Image Wisely Radiation Safety Case - a series of free, online, and mobile-compatible educational offerings, developed with the assistance of the American College of Radiology, that allow radiologists, imaging technologists, and medical physicists to assess their own understanding of important radiation safety concepts such as radiation dose monitoring and optimization.
Image Wisely is an initiative of the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists with the objective of lowering the amount of radiation used in medically necessary imaging studies and eliminating unnecessary procedures. Image Wisely offers resources and information to radiologists, medical physicists, and other imaging practitioners and patients.
For further details, visit www.imagewisely.org
From: http://www.acr.org/About-Us/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/20130919-Image-Wisely-Develops-New-Radiation-Safety-Education-Tool
Mammography Saves Lives™ (MSL) coalition launches educative programs
The Mammography Saves Lives™ (MSL) coalition is a not-for-profit medical associations dedicated to improving breast cancer care in North America comprised of the American College of Radiology, the Society of Breast Imaging, and the American Society of Breast Disease. It has recently launched a new series of TV and radio public service announcements (PSAs) to empower women, 40-and-older, to take charge of their health by getting an annual mammogram. It stresses that a great many more breast cancer deaths could be avoided if more women would choose to begin annual screening at age 40. The website points out that by not getting a yearly mammogram after age 40, women increase their odds of dying from breast cancer.
From: http://www.acr.org/About-Us/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/2013-MSL-Launch
Publications of interest from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Radiation Protection in Pediatric Radiology
Primarily aimed at providing guidance to radiologists, and radiographers/technologists involved in diagnostic procedures using ionizing radiation with children and adolescents, this publication should also be of value to all medical physicists and regulators. The emphasis throughout is on the special requirements of pediatrics.
Safety Reports Series 71
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1543_web.pdf
Record and Verify Systems for Radiation Treatment of Cancer: Acceptance Testing, Commissioning, and Quality Control
IAEA Human Health Reports 7
Medical physicists employed in radiation oncology, radiation oncologists, and radiation therapists will find this publication as a useful guide for ensuring accuracy, safety, and quality in radiation therapy. Record and verify systems (RVSs) have recently evolved into complete radiotherapy information management systems that interface with imaging systems, treatment planning computers, and treatment delivery systems. To function as intended, RVSs must be subjected to a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program. Practical guidelines are provided for developing and implementing a comprehensive QA program.
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1607_web.pdf
Roles and Responsibilities, and Education and Training Requirements for Clinically Qualified Medical Physicists
IAEA Human Health Series 25
The roles, responsibilities, and clinical training requirements of medical physicists have not always been well-defined or well-understood by healthcare professionals, health authorities, and regulatory agencies. To fill this gap, this publication provides recommendations for the academic education and clinical training of clinically qualified medical physicists, including recommendations for their accreditation certification and registration, along with continuous professional development. The goal is to establish criteria that support the harmonization of education and clinical training worldwide, as well as to promote the recognition of medical physics as a profession.
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1610_web.pdf
Practical Guidance on Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRNT) in Neuroendocrine Tumours
IAEA Human Health Series 20
This publication provides comprehensive multidisciplinary guidance to promote standardized, effective, and safe implementation of best practices for treating neuroendocrine and gastro-entero-pancreatic tumors through applying PRRNT. It can serve as a practical reference for specialists in clinical oncology and in nuclear medicine deploying and executing a comprehensive program for treating patients with neuroendocrine tumors.
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/P1560_web.pdf
Standard Operating Procedures for PET/CT: A Practical Approach for Use in Adult Oncology
IAEA Human Health Series 26
Over the last 20 years, positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (CT) have evolved as important and indispensable tools in the management of cancer patients. It remains a fact that the reliability of the images acquired on a PET/CT scanner depends on the quality of the imaging technique. This publication addresses an important aspect of PET/CT imaging, namely how to perform the fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/PET scan in an adult patient with cancer.
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1616_web.pdf
Publications of interest from International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
Radiological Protection in Cardiology
ICRP Publication 120
This report provides guidance to assist the cardiologist with justification procedures and optimization of protection in cardiac CT studies, cardiac nuclear medicine studies, and fluoroscopically guided cardiac interventions. It includes discussions of the biological effects of radiation, principles of radiological protection, protection of staff during fluoroscopically guided interventions, radiological protection training, and establishment of a quality assurance program for cardiac imaging and intervention.
Particular attention is devoted to clinical examples of radiation-related skin injuries from cardiac interventions, methods to reduce patient radiation dose, training recommendations, and quality assurance programs for interventional fluoroscopy.
From: http://www.icrp.org/publication.asp?id=ICRP%20Publication%20120
Radiological Protection in Paediatric Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
ICRP Publication 121
This publication aims to provide guiding principles of radiological protection for referring clinicians and clinical staff performing diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures for pediatric patients. Guidelines and suggestions for radiological protection in specific modalities like radiography and fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, and computed tomography are covered in depth.
From: http://www.icrp.org/publication.asp?id=ICRP%20Publication%20121
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) publishes Report No. 174 on Preconception and Prenatal Radiation Exposure: Health Effects and Protective Guidance
This report provides information on the risks from ionizing radiation exposure in detail from preconception through pregnancy, and during the nursing of infants. Outcomes and associated risks from preconception exposure that were evaluated include: Infertility, stillbirths, birth defects, genetic alteration, and cancer. Outcomes and associated risks from exposure during pregnancy that were evaluated include: Congenital malformations, growth retardation, embryonic and fetal death, mental retardation and neurobiological effects, and cancer. Also discussed is the risk to the nursing infant from the transfer of radioactive material through the mother's milk (e.g., milk from a mother who received a radiopharmaceutical) as well as from direct exposure due to radionuclides present in the mother's body. Methods for managing dose and reducing risk from various medical procedures are also addressed.
The report also deals with nonionizing sources (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound imaging, and radiofrequency fields), although the focus is on prenatal exposure, with limited coverage of childhood and adult exposure.
From: http://www.ncrppublications.org/Reports/174
EVENTS
International ICRP 2013: 2 nd International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection
Dates: October 22-24, 2013
Place: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
For further details: http://www.icrp.org/page.asp?id=141
RAD 2014-International Conference on Radiation and Radiation Dosimetry in various fields of research
Dates: May 27-30, 2014
Place: Nis, Serbia
Conference e-mail: [email protected]
Conference website: www.rad2014.elfak.rs
Image Gently ALARA CT Summit: How to use New CT Technologies for Children
Dates: February 21-22, 2014
Place: Orlando, Florida
For further details: http://www.pedrad.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=983
National AMPICON 2013 - 34 th National Conference of the Association of Medical Physicists of India and Symposium on "Particle Therapy"
Theme of the conference is "50 years of Medical Physics Education" commemorating beginning of Dip. R. P., course in B.A.R.C., Mumbai
Dates: Nov 13-16, 2013
Place: Kolkata
For further details: http://www.ampicon2013.org.in/
AMPICON 2013 (TN & PY) CHAPTER-18 th Annual Conference of Association of Medical Physicists of India (AMPI),TamilNadu and Puducherry Chapter
Theme of the conference is "New Frontiers in medical Physics"
Dates: Oct 18-19, 2013
Place: Chennai
For further details: http://ampiconannauniv.org/
One day seminar on "Occupational and Patient Safety in Medical Application of Radiation"
Date: November 7, 2013
Place: Mumbai
Organized by BARC in collaboration with Western Chapter of AMPI
For further details: [email protected]
A colloquium on Medical Physics-Satellite (Remote) Physics Planning: Is it the way to go?
Date: November 7, 2013
Place: Bangalore
Organized by HCG in collaboration with AMPI Karnataka Chapter
For further details: [email protected]
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