Adapting training for medical physicists to match future trends in radiation oncology

Radiation oncology is a field with constantly evolving technological developments, both with respect to planning and delivering treatment, and it is therefore essential to adapt the training in medical physics to these changes. Automation is increasingly being introduced into radiation oncology processes, and hence there is greater reliance on computing capability and power. We are learning how to better predict treatment outcomes and the risks of morbidity and treatment failures by modelling with available data we already have. In radiation oncology much of our ability to predict and measure outcomes is based on imaging and the quantitative information it can give us. However, the field is also diversifying and increasing in complexity and therefore we will also need leaders who have a vision to progress as effectively as possible, who are prepared in a constructive way with the other disciplines, learning how to cope with change and new knowledge whilst maintaining physics knowledge. Future training will need to consider how this can best be incorporated to ensure that the education of medical physicists in radiation oncology is most effective in this continually developing field [1–3], see footnote. Here we consider some of the topics which might need to be incorporated to optimally equip the next generation to be the most effective radiation oncology physicists of the future.