EFOMP Special Interest Group for “Early Career Medical Physicists”

SIG_FREC Aim

The young medical physicists (MP) of today will be the national medical physics and European medical physics professional and leaders of tomorrow. If the profession is to be developed and become stronger in a rapidly evolving environment, education and training of the young medical physicists is vital so that they may develop into the effective and robust scientific and strategic leaders that the profession needs in the future. Young medical physicists need to learn how to act in a coordinated manner at both national and European levels. To achieve this goal, a strong, flexible, and dynamic link is needed between academic education and professional training, across all countries. 

A SIG will provide opportunities for our young medical physicists to develop not only their substantive scientific and research skills but also their soft skills, as scientific competence on its own does not ensure success in today’s demanding hospital environment. Skills such as strategic planning, marketing, good communication and pedagogical skills, proficiencies in qualitative research methodology as well as skills in conflict resolution, organizational politics, negotiation, and teambuilding are also needed.

A Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis of the Medical Physics profession indicates that most of the weaknesses of the profession lie precisely in the area of soft skills. If the profession is to thrive it is important that any plans for its further development also incorporate strategies for addressing these critical weaknesses amongst our young physicists.

The SIG is a permanent structure. SIG members participate in the different working groups via a specific mail list. The SIG for early career for Medical Physicists (SIG_FREC) was officially created in December 2022. The kick-off meeting was held on the 9th of December 2022.

 

SIG_FREC Application Procedure

EFOMP members (members of their National Member Organisation or Individual Associate Members) can apply to be a member of the SIG_FREC, using the member application form. 

Corporate members are accepted. NMOs can also nominate representatives. 

Applications can be sent anytime by using this form and are reviewed on a regular basis.

Application form
 

SIG_FREC governance

The Steering Committee members were elected by the SIG members via an electronic postal ballot organised by the EFOMP European & International Matters Committee in March 2023 :

  • Leticia Irazola, Spain
  • Jesus Ovejero, Spain
  • Anna Maria Fanou, Greece
  • Nefeli Tzoumi, Greece
  • Katryna Vella, Malta
  • Agnese Katlapa, Latvia
  • Antonio Jreije, Lithuania

 

Board

  • Convener: Leticia Irazola, Spain
  • Vice Convener: Antonio Jreije, Lithuania
  • Secretary: Agnese Katlapa, Latvia

Initial call

Special Interest Groups Radionuclide Internal Dosimetry Early Career Medical Physicists Dental Imaging Particle Therapy Artificial Intelligence