IAEA/RCA Regional Meeting for National Trainers to Initiate Trialing of the Programme for Radiotherapy Specialty will be held from 25-26 June 2007 in cooperation with the Government of Thailand through Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Chulalongkorn University.

The purpose of the meeting is 1) to increase understanding of the importance of clinical training in medical physics, particularly in radiation oncology physics, to the participants the training programme that has been developed by the IAEA through the RCA project on Strengthening Medical Physics through Education and Training and 2) to provide information on the national infrastructure that would be required to implement the training programme.

The need for clinically qualified medical physicists is a worldwide problem that is well recognized but is most acute in developing nations. This problem can be approached by supporting existing medical physicists and ensuring appropriate training to those about to enter the profession. The first involves specific training given through workshops, training courses and fellowship programmes. The second approach, of delivering competent medical physics in a clinical environment, requires appropriate academic education at the post graduate level, and significant clinical training in a clinical department over a period of at least 2 years. The recognition of a clinically competent medical physicist is also a common problem in almost all countries; however the use of accreditation processes, ideally through national professional organizations, is seen as vital in the development of medical physics standards. In relation to this background, the IAEA has developed a clinical training programme in radiation oncology through the programme. It is to be trialed in Thailand initially and in other Member States that wish to participate in.

For more information contact Ms Anchali Krisanachinda at kanchali@yahoo.com, or fax: +0066 2 2564162.