It's taken 5 months but today I've experienced my first doubts about my suitability for the role of a medical physicist in the NHS. As medical physics experts, the team run various training courses. I've sat in on one for non-medical referrers of medical imaging (e.g. for podiatrists who refer patients for x-rays) and one … Continue reading First doubts
X-MR Testing
It turns out the most important weapon in a radiation safety physicist's arsenal is.... Micropore tape! Many metres used in the 8 hours of testing of this biplane interventional system. It was a very cool piece of kit with arms that move both independently and together with an astonishing number of joysticks and buttons. Hopefully … Continue reading X-MR Testing
CT Big Pharma
Today we're learning about CT optimisation procedures. Getting to know the equipment you're using is the main gist. For example, different companies employ different methods for Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) e.g. by looking at maintaining constant noise in an image or having a reference mAs determined by a phantom for a standard sized phantom. Knowing … Continue reading CT Big Pharma
Got a desk and a cute mug!
I am ready for the world of work!
Trainee Meeting #2
Had a very satisfying trainee meeting this week with 5 second years and a third year in the King's consortium of Medical Physics and Engineering STPs. It was good to hear about how they were still all enjoying the scheme and that they'd picked their specialisms. Us first years have now found out what we're … Continue reading Trainee Meeting #2
Why don’t we have radiotherapy at the weekend?
Today’s thought of the day: why don’t we have radiotherapy at the weekend? If each radiotherapy plan takes so long to plan, each fraction carefully calculated and patients told to clear their calendars for weeks and cancel their prior commitments, why don’t they continue their treatments at the weekends or over Christmas? It’s so much … Continue reading Why don’t we have radiotherapy at the weekend?
“You’re obviously not a scientist”
Exactly what you want to be told by the photographer, whilst wearing your graduation regalia, about to accept your Master's degree in Physics... Fortunately I've grown enough in confidence over the course of my degree (with especial thanks to to my formidable female physics supervisors in Auckland who I need to write and thank) to … Continue reading “You’re obviously not a scientist”
"You're obviously not a scientist" 