Curriculum
The Imaging Physics Residency Program will cover all aspects of medical imaging to include training in radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MR, ultrasound, mammography, and interventional radiology. Even though this residency program will focus on diagnostic imaging, residents will also complete rotations in nuclear medicine and image guidance in radiation oncology.
Clinical training will include hands on acceptance and annual QC testing of equipment, radiation safety, MR safety, protocol optimization, and responding to physician requests. Our goal is to train the resident to understand the underlying physics, understand the regulations governing the department of radiology and imaging physics service, and have the confidence and competence to serve as an independent imaging physicist after the residency is complete.
Training in ethics and professionalism, professional liability, professional activities and societies, soft skills, administration, accreditation and regulatory agencies, continuous quality improvement etc. will be conducted along with the six core competencies specified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) These competencies include patient care and procedural skills, medical physics knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.
Training Requirements
Two years of training will meet the following minimum requirements:
- Mammography and Stereotactic breast biopsy annual systems evaluations under direct supervision of a MQSA certified physicist.
- CT systems evaluations under direct supervision of a qualified CT medical physicist.
- MR systems evaluations under direct supervision of a qualified MR medical physicist.
- NM systems including PET evaluations under direct supervision of a qualified NM medical physicist.
- Radiography, fluoroscopy, and interventional x-ray system evaluations performed independently alongside a qualified medical physicist
- Ultrasound evaluations performed independently alongside a qualified medical physicist
- Attendance of all relevant seminars within and outside the department of radiology
- Completion of mock oral exams periodically through the residency
- Presentation of a clinical improvement or clinical research project at a regional or national meeting
Competencies
Each imaging physics resident is to meet the following competencies in the different areas of imaging (general radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, Mammography, US, NM, MRI and angiography systems) briefly listed below:
- Acceptance testing and annual performance evaluation
- Determine entrance skin exposures, organ doses, risk to fetus, or other relevant safety concerns
- Explain the physics principles including contrast and exposure control
- Understand typical protocols and/or doses from various exams in each modality
- Protocol development and impact of protocol on image quality and radiation dose
- Accreditation and regulatory requirements
- Safety requirements, shielding calculations, safety policies, patient, and staff safety, bioeffects, ALARA, dose limits
- Imaging informatics and Displays – PACS, RIS, IHE, image processing, CAD, HL7, workstation QC, viewing conditions, printer QC, computer hardware requirements.
2-Year Training Schedule
|
Clinical rotation (order may vary) |
Duration (months) |
Approximate dates |
|
Orientation |
2 |
July 1-August 31 |
|
Radiography |
2 |
September 1-October 31 |
|
Fluoroscopy and IR |
2 |
November 1-December 31 |
|
Mammography |
3 |
January 1-March 31 |
|
MRI |
3 |
April 1-June 30 |
|
CT |
3 |
July 1-September 30 |
|
Ultrasound |
1 |
October 1-October 31 |
|
Informatics and analytics |
2 |
November 1-December 31 |
|
Nuclear medicine & radiation oncology |
1 |
January 1-January 30 |
|
Radiation safety |
2 |
February 1-March 30 |
|
Consulting physics |
1 |
April 1-April 30 |
|
Remediation and clinical projects |
2 |
May 1-June 30 |