Medical Physics Workforce In Latin America: Advancing Toward Professional Recognition
Abstract
Purpose
This work offers a comprehensive review of the progress made by the most populous countries in Latin America toward the professional recognition of medical physicists, covering their approaches to education and training, regulatory advances, and gender equity.
Methods
A survey was conducted across the ten most populous Latin American countries, using data from national organizations, leadership interviews, and a review of existing literature. The main medical physics education and training pathways in structured programs were analyzed. The size of the medical physics workforce in each specialty and the gender balance were examined. National regulations governing medical physics were collected, including responsibilities and requirements for professional practice. Professional recognition in clinical settings was qualitatively assessed through structured interviews with medical physicists in each country.
Results
The diversity across the main Latin American countries results from multiple pathways for education and clinical training, ranging from bachelor’s degrees in physics without formal clinical training to well-established medical physics residency programs in each specialty. Only Brazil has a formal certification process with written and oral exams for certifying qualified medical physicists, while others rely primarily on educational requirements. The gender balance and distribution in each specialty remain pending for males and for radiation therapy. Professional recognition is demonstrated by clear legal requirements that medical physicists be present in clinical settings and that medical physics organizations participate in government councils and other professional societies.
Conclusion
The Latin American countries are a melting pot of medical physicists with diverse training backgrounds and varying levels of professional maturity. Educational and training models differ among countries to accommodate local needs; however, they are evolving to meet international standards. Professional recognition also varies across countries, but it is strongly correlated with the advocacy of professional medical physics organizations within government and the maturity of educational institutions.