Physica Medica: European Journal of Medical Physics - Volume 32 - Supplement 1 - February 2016

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Education
G.464
BIRTH OF LEDA (LABORATORY FOR EDUCATION IN DOSIMETRY
ANALYSES) IN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENTS
G. Compagnone A.L. Angelini R. Vanini A. Veraldi F. Romani
E. Fabbri S. Domenichell S. Ciabatt A.G. Morgant a UO Fisica Sanitaria,
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; b UO Radioterapia,
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Introduction: In Radiotherapy Departments, radiation oncologist (RO) and
medical physicist (MP) work side by side for patient care: besides other
tasks, the former is responsible for specifying doses to be delivered to the
target and doses limitations to critical organs; the latter holds the respon-
sibility for generation, review and interpretation of treatment plans and
dose distributions. Aim of this work was to describe how an educational
laboratory, for radiotherapy-specific dosimetry studies and analyses, was
organized in collaboration between Medical Physics and Radiotherapy
Departments.
Materials and Methods: An initial team of 3 MP, 3 RO (1 in training) and
3 dosimetrists was identified to study, not full time, the feasibility and
sustainability of the Laboratory for Education in Dosimetry Analyses (LEDA)
educational project in a large clinical university hospital environment, where
many students are in formation (17 RO and 2 MP). A workstation, where
both the latest and the older versions of the treatment planning system
were installed, was completely dedicated to LEDA. As an example of a pos-
sible study, some treatment plans were revised in order to calculate doses
to organs out of the irradiation fields.
Results: The expected results are: to calculate doses to normal structures
distant from the clinical target; to evaluate the potential risk of lesions due
to radiotherapy treatments; to improve the knowledge of radiation therapy
physics of students and professionals as a part of continuing education. The
time to be dedicated to LEDA varied depending on the nature of the request:
e.g., in many cases a new critical structure segmentation was required.
Conclusions: The LEDA project showed its potential and, though some ‘cali-
brations’ are still due, can be proposed as a feasible experiment that can
help both students in training to learn more about the physics of radio-
therapy and the radiotherapy team to revise the dose distributions for a
better care of patients.
G.465
THE AIFM WEB SECTION ‘ILFISICOMEDICORISPONDE’ TWO YEARS
FROM THE START: CONSIDERATIONS, CRITICAL POINTS AND FUTURE
DEVELOPMENTS
S. Delle Canne * L. Bianchi a Ospedale San Giovanni Calibita
Fatebenefratelli-Isola Tiberina, Roma, Italy; b A.O. Ospedale di Circolo di Busto
Arsizio, Busto Arsizio, Italy
Introduction: The AIFM project ‘ilfisicomedicorisponde’ started in 2013, to
render a service of scientific and usable information to non-experts in the
field of radiation risk, both medical and environmental. Local and national
mass media have contributed to its spread among people but
margins for better dissemination are certainly wider. Interest in the project
from other associations that pursue the goal of accurate information
potentially creates a network of virtuous collaborations. After two years, the
activity is evaluated to improve the project and to frame issues emerged.
Materials and Methods: In line with ICRP and IAEA, the AIFM has felt the
need to disseminate scientific information on daily physical phenomena
that, if not well understood, can generate concerns (e.g. risks related to di-
agnostic procedures) or simply curiosity. FAQs prepared by AIFM experts
include medical (radiotherapy, radiology, nuclear medicine) and environ-
mental (nuclear energy, electromagnetic fields, . . .) exposures. An e-mail
address is available to send questions with answer within 10 days. Clini-
cal questions are redirected to medical professionals.
Results: In two years 50 questions arrived, most concerning about radio-
logical procedures in pregnancy and of children. Great anxiety, often
caused by wrong or misleading information, for induction of tumors or
malformations highlight the need for a greater capacity to disseminate
information to the public. Moreover, requests from some doctor identify
new aims, such as contacts with general practitioners, pediatricians and
gynecologists who have shown interest in being involved in training
programs and divulgation.
Conclusions: After two years of activity, critical issues analysis (public knowl-
edge of radiation risk in medical exposures very confusing and limited, lack
of institutional local scientific websites, countering a misleading informa-
tion) and future developments (greater collaboration with the clinical
component, in particular radiological) have been identified.
G.466
ICTP, TRIESTE UNIVERSITY AND ITALIAN MEDICAL PHYSICS: A TRAINING
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PHYSICISTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
R. Padovani L. Bertocchi R. Longo M. De Denaro M. Brambilla
E. Capra C. Cavedo P. Francesco H. Hrsak M.R. Malisan M. Paiusc
R. Ropolo A. Torresin A. Turr A. Valentin a Abdus Salam International
Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy; b Dept. of Physics & INFN,
Trieste University, Trieste, Italy; c Medical Physics Dept, University Hospital,
Trieste, Italy; d Medical Physics Dept, University Hospital, Novara, Italy; e Medical
Physics Dept, CRO, Aviano (Pn), Italy; f Medical Physics Dept, University Hospital,
Verona, Italy; g Medical Physics Dept, General Hospital, Vicenza, Italy; h Medical
Physics Dept, Oncology Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; i Medical Physics Dept,
University Hospital, Udine, Italy; j Medical Physics Dept, IOV, Padova, Italy;
k Medical Physics Dept, Cittá della salute, Torino, Italy; l Medical Physics Dept,
Niguarda Hospital, Milano, Italy; m Medical Physics Dept, University Hospital,
Ferrara, Italy; n Medical Physics Dept, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
Introduction: The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics
(ICTP) and the Trieste University have initiated in 2014 a Master of Ad-
vanced Studies in Medical Physics ,
a two-years training programme in Medical Physics, co-sponsored by the
Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS).
The Master Programme is designated to provide young promising gradu-
ates in physics, mainly from developing countries, with a post-graduated
theoretical and clinical training suitable to be recognised as Clinical Medical
Physicist in their countries.
Material and Methods: Presently, the 3 cycles of the Master’s pro-
gramme has seen 49 participants from 33 countries: Africa (19), Asia (11),
Central and South America (14), and Europe (5), selected among more than
500 applicants. Full or partial scholarships are awarded to successful
candidates from developing countries, thanks to the support of the IAEA,
TWAS, KFAS, IOMP, EFOMP and ICTP.
The Master’s programme has been developed according to the recommenda-
tions of IOMP and IAEA for the education and the clinical training. In the first
year 330 hours of lectures and 230 hours of guided exercises are devoted to:
Anatomy and physiology, Radiobiology, Radiation physics, Radiation dosimetry,
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