Answer to Question #3144 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Health physics is the profession dedicated to the protection of humans and their environment from the harmful effects of both ionizing and nonionizing radiation while providing for its beneficial uses. By default health physicists must have a very deep understanding of radiation physics, dosimetry, radiation detection, shielding, and various types of radiation sources. Additionally, they must be very certain of all regulatory requirements imposed upon the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing machines, including control of occupational environments, shipment of radioactive materials, and disposal of radioactive materials, as they are often given the responsibility for assuring regulatory compliance.

Medical physics is a profession dedicated to the treatment of disease using ionizing radiation. Medical physicists must have a well-developed understanding of radiation physics, dosimetry, radiation detection, shielding, and various types of radiation sources. Additionally, they must be very certain of different treatment modalities and dose delivery techniques. The medical physicists have the responsibility for precisely delivering the prescribed quantity of radiation dose to very specific tumor targets as directed by an oncologist.

The basic knowledge required of the practitioners of both of these similar disciplines has many overlapping features. The specific details of the applications of radiation differ. Ultimately, these are two distinct disciplines but with very common interest. The educational objectives of health physics programs and medical physics programs are likely to have their greatest difference when it comes to requirements for clinical or field experiences.

I hope this helps you understand the differences between the two professions. You can find more information on health physics programs on this Web site and on medical physics programs at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Web site.

Rich Brey, CHP