• Clinical service

  In radiation oncology, medical physicists are responsible for treatment planning and verification of radiotherapy including intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), superficial X-ray therapy and brachytherapy, etc.

  They refine the treatment plan to optimize dose distribution to tumor and minimize doses to surrounding critical organs. In diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine, they implement measures to yield quality medical images for diagnosis while minimizing radiation doses to patients.

• Radiation dosimetry

  After a radiotherapy machine is installed, medical physicists acquire the beam data and perform output calibrations of radiotherapy machine according to well-established dosimetry protocols and codes of practice. They implement quality assurance programmes for periodic machine checks. Besides, comprehensive testing will be conducted after machine repairment to ensure the machine operates in a safe and optimal condition.

  Medical physicists perform patient-specific plan verification to ensure the patient will receive radiation dose according to oncologist’s prescription. They simulate the treatment using a phantom and measure the radiation dose distribution, or perform in-vivo dosimetry using dosimeters.

  In diagnostic radiology, medical physicists estimate the patient dose to verify conformity with recommended diagnostic reference levels. In nuclear medicine, they perform radioactivity measurements and calculations of organ doses following radiopharmaceutical administration.

  
• Installation design, acceptance and commissioning of equipment

  Medical physicists participate along with the process of shielding design and construction of radiotherapy treatment rooms and medical imaging rooms to ensure that all regulatory requirements are complied with. They evaluate the technical specifications of radiotherapy equipment and imaging equipment based on the needs of clinical services, and carry out acceptance and commissioning procedures on new equipment to ensure the equipment operates as specified.

  

• Radiation protection

  Medical physicists play an indispensable role in performing periodic evaluation of irradiating apparatus to maintain compliance with regulations and accreditation requirements. Radiation safety programmes are developed to ensure the safe operation and use of irradiating apparatus and radioactive sources for the protection of patients, staff and the general public. Risk assessments are conducted to identify potential radiation emergencies and action plans are developed for such events.

  

• Optimization of clinical procedure

  In clinical management role, medical physicists develop departmental policies related to the use of radiation, which include responsibility for documenting and implementing these policies. They also review and optimize procedures in physical and technical aspects to improve quality of service across the radiotherapy and medical imaging process.

• Education and training

  Apart from clinical work, medical physicists play an important role in educating and training healthcare professionals such as oncologists, radiologists, radiation therapists and radiographers on medical physics aspects. They organize seminars and lectures to healthcare professionals on medical physics topics which cover a wide range of knowledge including radiotherapy physics, medical imaging physics, radiobiology, radiation protection and magnetic resonance safety, etc.

• Research and development

  Last but not least, medical physicists participate in research and development for technological advancement and optimization of clinical procedures. They conduct research to address key clinical questions that pertain to advanced treatment techniques, treatment planning, medical image processing, enhancement of patient safety, etc.

Pharmacists have a central role in ensuring the appropriateness and safety of medications before they are dispensed and administered to patients. We are responsible for identifying, preventing and managing drug related problems including dosage, interactions, allergy, administration and side effects.

Another critical role of pharmacists in Union Oncology Centre is to supervise the compounding of chemotherapy under strict aseptic techniques and requirements. Chemotherapy reconstitution is centralized in the negative pressure isolator in order to maintain the sterility of the products.

We also provide drug information to doctors, nurses, other clinical staff, and patients where appropriate.