Answer to Question #2079 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I am confused about the difference between pursuing a career in medical physics compared with health physics with a concentration in medicine. I have a BS in physics but a strong desire to work in the medical arena and as close to direct patient care as possible. I would greatly appreciate any advice on which advanced degree is more applicable for my goal.

A

While medical physics and medical health physics have a number of similarities and overlapping fields of study and interest, the emphasis of practice or day-to-day routines are quite different. Medical physics is overwhelmingly patient care as it is an integral component of all radiation-therapy programs. The medical physicist is responsible for the radiation dose calculations and the administration of the specified radiation dose to patients undergoing radiation treatments for cancer. The medical physicist works with linear accelerators, sealed radiation sources, and computers.

The emphasis of the medical health physicist is on radiation safety aspects necessary for the safe use of sources of ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Examples of such sources are radiation units and sources in radiation therapy, x-ray machines in diagnostic radiology, sealed and unsealed radioactive sources used in nuclear medicine and biomedical research, lasers used in surgery and other areas of the hospital, etc. Medical health physicists have some patient contact but this is usually not a large part of the responsibility. Medical health physicists are more involved with employees, in particular those using radiation sources or those potentially exposed to the radiations from such sources.

In some hospitals, the medical physicist also assumes the responsibilities of the medical health physicist. However, when the programs are large and involve biomedical research the radiation safety function is usually handled by a medical health physicist.

While it sounds like medical physics would be more to your liking, you might want to schedule a visit to both a medical physics office and a medical health physics office before making your decision.


Kenneth L. Miller, CHP, CMHP


Editor's Note: Additional information on careers and professional development in health physics and a link to the American Association of Physicists in Medicine can be found in the answer to Ask the Expert Question 383.