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Bezak E, Borrás C, Hasford F, Karmaker N, Keyser A, Stoeva M, Trauernicht C, Yeong HC, Marcu LG. Science diplomacy in medical physics - an international perspective. HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY 2023; 13:495-503. [PMID: 37303976 PMCID: PMC10162897 DOI: 10.1007/s12553-023-00756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Science diplomacy in medical physics is a relatively young research field and translational practice that focuses on establishing international collaborations to address some of the questions biomedical professionals face globally. This paper aims to present an overview of science diplomacy in medical physics, from an international perspective, illustrating the ways collaborations within and across continents can lead to scientific and professional achievements that advance scientific growth and improve patients care. Methods Science diplomacy actions were sought that promote collaborations in medical physics across the continents, related to professional and scientific aspects alike. Results Several science diplomacy actions have been identified to promote education and training, to facilitate research and development, to effectively communicate science to the public, to enable equitable access of patients to healthcare and to focus on gender equity within the profession as well as healthcare provision. Scientific and professional organizations in the field of medical physics across all continents have adopted a number of efforts in their aims, many of them with great success, to promote science diplomacy and to foster international collaborations. Conclusions Professionals in medical physics can advance through international cooperation, by building strong communication across scientific communities, addressing rising demands, exchange scientific information and knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Bezak
- Medical Radiations, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001 Australia
- International Organisation for Medical Physics (IOMP), York, UK
- Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Cari Borrás
- Radiological Physics and Health Services, Washington, DC USA
| | - Francis Hasford
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Federation of African Medical Physics Organizations (FAMPO), Accra, Ghana
- International Organisation for Medical Physics (IOMP), York, UK
| | - Nupur Karmaker
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Gono Bishwabidyalay) University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Angela Keyser
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), Richmond, USA
| | - Magdalena Stoeva
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- International Organisation for Medical Physics (IOMP), York, UK
| | - Christoph Trauernicht
- Federation of African Medical Physics Organizations (FAMPO), Accra, Ghana
- Division of Medical Physics, Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hong Chai Yeong
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya, 47500 Malaysia
- South-East Asian Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (SEAFOMP), Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Loredana G. Marcu
- Medical Radiations, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA Australia
- Faculty of Informatics and Science, University of Oradea, Oradea, 410087 Romania
- European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Koh ES, Gogna NK, Minjgee M, Tsegmed U, Gonchig O, Vanchinbazar E, Erdenetuya Y, Yap ML, Shelton N, Ochoa C, Ceylan A, Lowe T, Heng SM, Scott A, Oar A, Ward I. Implementation of 3D conformal radiotherapy technology at the National Cancer Centre Mongolia: A successful Asia-Pacific collaborative initiative. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2021; 65:454-459. [PMID: 34086405 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mongolia has a population of 3.3 million and is classified by the WHO as a lower middle-income country. Cancer is now a major public health issue and one of the leading causes of mortality. Within the framework of an existing national cancer control plan, the National Cancer Centre of Mongolia (NCCM) aimed to implement 3D conformal radiation planning and linac-based treatment delivery. METHODS In 2018, an opportunity arose for collaboration between the Mongolia Society for Radiation Oncology (MOSTRO), the National Cancer Centre Mongolia (NCCM), the Asia-Pacific Radiation Oncology Special Interest Group (APROSIG) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and the Asia-Pacific Special Interest Group (APSIG) of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) and radiation therapists (RTTs) from a range of Australian centres. We describe here the results to date of this collaboration. RESULTS Despite a number of significant technical and practical barriers, successful linac commissioning was achieved in 2019. Key factors for success included a leadership receptive to change management, stable bureaucracy and health systems, as well as a synchronised effort, regional cooperation and mentorship. CONCLUSION Future directions for ongoing collaborative efforts include a continued focus on education, practical training in radiotherapy planning and delivery and postgraduate education initiatives. Radiotherapy safety and quality assurance remain an ongoing priority, particularly as technological advances are sequentially implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eng-Siew Koh
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes, Research and Evaluation, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nirdosh Kumar Gogna
- Mater Radiation Oncology Centre - Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Minjmaa Minjgee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Non-surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Uranchimeg Tsegmed
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Non-surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Odontuya Gonchig
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Non-surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Enkhtsetseg Vanchinbazar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Non-surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Yadamsuren Erdenetuya
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Non-surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Mei Ling Yap
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes, Research and Evaluation, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School - Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nikki Shelton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cesar Ochoa
- Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Abdurrahman Ceylan
- Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Toby Lowe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Soo Min Heng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alison Scott
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Oar
- Icon Cancer Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Iain Ward
- Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
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