International Council Symposium: Building Global Medical Physics Capacity (Joint AAPM-IOMP)
Description
Global advances in medical physics depend on interconnected research networks that facilitate mentoring, funding, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. Advancing cancer care worldwide requires a systematic, measurable, and globally interconnected research capacity. This AAPM-IOMP symposium outlines an integrated, four-part framework to build capacity and equity across settings. Research capability is essential for refining technologies, generating evidence that guides practice, and improving outcomes. As radiation oncology continues to digitize and personalize care, institutions without in-house research capacity risk being excluded from innovation and widening disparities; therefore, building research expertise is critical for ensuring safety, quality, and equitable access. For LMIC implementation, the session includes IAEA insights on coordinated research, technical cooperation, and QA frameworks to build durable, scalable research capacity. Component 1 (Mentorship Networks): Structured initiatives (e.g., GREMP, GHSG, ICAMP) to build research and leadership skills through international mentor–mentee partnerships, enabling research excellence, professional growth, and global collaboration. Component 2 (Funding Pathways): Curated catalog of international and institutional funding resources with regional filters, exemplars showing how seed support enables pilot data and multi-site progression, and a brief “how-to” on proposal scoping and compliance. Component 3 (Collaborative Consortia): Cross-institutional consortia co-develop harmonized protocols, share infrastructure, and release validated open tools, with success evidenced by SOP adoption, cross-site reuse, co-authorship, and conversion from seed to multi-site funding. Component 4 (Sustainable Capacity/Future Vision): Shared governance models with charters, roles, and MOUs for data/resource sharing. Durability metrics include continuity, alumni mentorship, and renewed multi-site support.