Medical physicist consults with patients can help reduce anxiety and increase satisfaction with radiation care

Meeting with a medical physicist who can explain how radiation therapy is planned and delivered reduces patient anxiety and increases patient satisfaction throughout the treatment process, according to a new study published today in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics. Findings of the randomized, prospective phase III clinical trial also will be presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

AAPM 2022 Presidential Symposium: Impact of Medical Physics to Transform Health Care Approaches

The knowledge a medical physicist brings to treatment plans for patients usually focuses on science and technology. But more and more, these scientists are taking the lead on a people-first approach to better health care for those who need it. During the President’s Symposium at the annual AAPM meeting, three keynote speakers will discuss treatment of the Alzheimer’s epidemic, the dynamics of patient engagement, and two research initiatives prioritized by the Biden administration.

American Association of Physicists in Medicine Issues Position on Medical Imaging Radiation Limits

When a medical imaging exam provides a clinical benefit, the only risk that should be considered is the exam itself rather than a patient’s previous radiation exposure, according to a statement from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the American College of Radiology and the Health Physics Society, citing potential adverse effects on patient care.