Training, Research and Development in the sections
Radiotherapy Physics (Contact for info)
As well as contributing to the routine work of the section, radiotherapy physics staff are involved in a range of service developments and research work.
A comprehensive system is in place for project proposal, review and monitoring of progress, both within the Radiotherapy Physics Section and in the Medical Physics Department.
Presentations at national or international meetings and publications in journals are actively encouraged.
The numerous research and development activities within Radiotherapy Physics, involving both MSc and PhD students, currently includes the use of Monte Carlo modelling, non-linear analysis of treatment margins, PET-CT, reduction of concomitant doses, HDR brachytherapy, optimised treatment planning system algorithm modelling, IMRT, IGRT, and 4D gating.
Radiological Sciences (Contact for info)
The Radiological Sciences Group is closely involved with supporting the development of new services and new techniques across a range of imaging departments. X-ray and CT imaging technology develops at a rapid pace resulting in the need for local specialist Medical Physics expertise to ensure optimal imaging techniques and a safe environment for patients and staff. Particular new areas of interest are currently digital X-ray imaging, pediatric dosimetry, optimization of dose for CT head scans, radiation protection requirements for PET. The group is also active in the development software for the analysis of quality assurance images from X-ray and MR imaging systems. Development work undertaken in support of clinical MRI scanning is described in detail here.
Staff are encouraged to present and publish their work at local and national meetings or in peer-reviewed journals.
The group formally supports the training of Clinical Scientists and Clinical Technologists as part of an IPEM accredited training centre. Staff are also regularly involved in providing teaching and lecturing on a variety of academic and training courses. [see RSG Teaching and Training Courses page].
Nuclear Medicine Physics (Contact for info)
The section is pursuing to carry out applied R&D all the time to keep up with the developments in technology and also the radiation protection legislation (IRR99 and IRMER). These processes are integral to maintaining quality in service delivery. As part of the section commitment and the department objective under the Clinical Governance requirement, members of the section have been actively involved in, and contributed to R&D.
The section has close collaboration with the University of Surrey in research, teaching and training capacities. This includes joint research collaboration (PhD students), plus lecturing on the Medical Physics MSc course and contributing to projects and training of MSc students.
Area of research interest and activities are: Imaging probe, PET/MRI application in Prostate cancer, Fast SPECT, Motion correction for GTTV and Gut drug therapy , Drug response therapy (pre and post treatment), Quantitative and Qualitative imaging and optimisation utilising 3D digitised phantoms and optics in cancer response to therapy.
Clinical Engineering (Contact for info)
The areas of research Clinical Engineering aspires to follow are: Physiological measurement techniques, Computing & IT , Critical care technology, Bone Densitometry, Tissue viability, Assistive technology, ANY engineering development to advance clinical services.
This Trust is part of a consortium with Southampton Universities NHS Trust to provide Clinical Engineer and Clinical Scientist training. In the past there have been Clinical Engineer trainees based at Southampton who have spent part of their training time at Portsmouth.
The department is also looking at the Training of new Technologists. Currently there are guidelines to technologist training issued by IPEM but there are no formal programmes in place. The department is looking to devise its own training scheme following the IPEM guidelines.
Clinical Engineering wants to work in collaboration with academic institutions and industries.
The collaboration with universities would be on two levels. The first being academic research links with departments that have similar backgrounds and expertise and this department. The second would be the provision of training. Clinical Engineering and the universities would work together to provide practical as well as academic teaching to provide a complete solution to training requirements for all level of potential employees, both new and current ones who want to improve their current position. This would be at both first degree and masters level dependant on the career path of the participant.