Medical physics in Europe

Radiotherapy was in the early days empirically developed and thought to be applicable only in dermatology. The x-ray equipment was rather primitive and dosimetry very rudimentary. Radium, radon and mesothorium was introduced for brachytherapy and dosage could be expressed in mgh Ra or in mCd. Radiation protection became of great concern in view of the injuries noted among staff members. The need for physical support became apparent and in certain places physicists were appointed. Their main duties were in the planning of new departments, basic and clinical dosimetry, design, maintenance and performance checking of equipment and instruments, development of new treatment techniques, physical treatment planning, radiation protection e.t.c. ICRU and ICRP were set up in London in 1925 and in Stockholm in 1928 respectively by the first and second International Congress of Radiology. Physicists have throughout the years been leading scientists in these well reputed commissions. With increasing responsibilities and the growth of the profession separate departments have been established in hospitals, medical schools and at universities. Education and training programs have been introduced with the aim of ensuring competence for all categories engaged in the realization of the procedures. Quality Assurance (QA) is the modern term for procedures which have always been the main aim with medical radiation physics. National and international organizations for hospital- or medical physics have been very influential. Handbooks, codes of practice and journals published by leading associations are widely accepted and through workshops, conferences and regional meetings the knowledge is conveyed. In this respect the cooperation with such organizations as the IAEA and WHO is very important. Through work in IEC committees setting standards for medical equipment valuable contributions can be made by physicists