Developing a Global Resource Supporting the Education of Diagnostic Radiology Physicists
Abstract
Purpose
An educational endeavor has been initiated to provide the diagnostic radiology (DR) community with an up-to-date resource describing the physics and clinical implementation of DR imaging physics. The resource will be widely, and freely, available to enhance the education of learners studying DR physics throughout the international community.
Methods
In 2014 the IAEA published a first edition of “Diagnostic Radiology Physics: A Handbook for Teacher and Students”. With the rapid development of technology, many topics of this edition require updating. A collaboration of international organizations including the AAPM, AFOMP, EFOMP, IAEA, ICTP, and IOMP contributed expertise in guiding the revision of contents to encompass modern and internationally inclusive topics in DR physics. Five international technical editors and an IAEA Scientific Secretary coordinated the update and recruited subject matter experts from around the world as contributing authors.
Results
Approximately eighty authors from around the world have contributed to the early draft of the text. In addition to describing the current physics and implementation of DR imaging modalities, the resource expounds upon interdisciplinary topics not previously addressed, including the physics context of imaging anatomy and physiology, information technology, and equipment management. The editorial team’s efforts focus on balancing the volume of technical materials produced by contributing authors with practical limitations and page limits for the overall project. The review process is underway with the goal of having a completed draft in summer of 2026.
Conclusion
The revised DR Handbook provides a valuable and readily available resource for learners at the graduate and resident level, although many of the updated sections will be relevant to the continued professional development of medical physicists. This free and readily accessible resource, that can be downloaded from the IAEA website, will enhance consistency of education and clinical application of DR physics in countries around the globe.