Core physics competencies for proton therapy training of radiation oncology and medical physics residents and fellows

摘要

With the growing interest in proton therapy and construction of more proton treatment centers in the United States and worldwide, there is increasing demand for physicians and physicists adequately trained in the therapeutic use of protons. Both physicians and physicists require extensive training to develop an understanding of the clinical and technical implications of the fundamental physical differences between photon and proton therapies. Many similarities exist in concepts and clinical operations between photon and proton therapy; thus it would be expected that any proton-specific training would rely upon a firm understanding of photon therapy. A training program in photon radiation therapy alone is not sufficient, however, for the safe clinical use of protons in radiation therapy. The aim of this report is to recommend core physics competencies that both medical and physics residents and fellows should acquire as part of formal proton therapy training.