Author: Eric Addison, Stephen M. Avery, Alhassan Mohammed Baidoo, Lyna Dinh, Megan Doherty, Andrew Friberg, Sonya Gwak, Francis Hasford, Stephen Inkoom, Shannon E. O'Reilly, Ayoola Okuribido, Edem Sosu, Samuel Nii Adu Tagoe 👨🔬
Affiliation: University of Wisconsin, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, University of Ghana, Sweden Ghana Medical Centre 🌍
Purpose: This first-of-its-kind Global Medical Physics Training and Development Program (GMPTDP) seeks to serve as an opportunity for graduate students to enhance their clinical training with a global experience, introduce them to global career opportunities, and strengthen partnerships for education and research between the US and Africa.
Methods: Formal planning for the program began in Fall 2022, including meetings between colleagues in the US and Ghana and funding proposal submissions. Prior to the program’s start, an affiliation agreement was developed to outline the relationship between institutions. The program consisted of a five-week training schedule, the first week including orientation/cultural preparation held at the US institution (as well as hybrid presentations with colleagues in Ghana). The remaining four weeks occurred in Ghana with rotations through four medical centers. During rotations, students gained experience with LINACs, cobalt-60, brachytherapy, treatment planning, imaging and more. Key aspects of this program were: participation in clinical projects, peer-to-peer learning, community outreach and site visits to places of Ghanaian historical and cultural significance.
Results: Funding was obtained for up to five trainees to participate in the program each year for a period of three years. The pilot year of the program was successfully completed by three students from May 28th–July 2nd, 2024. Weekly clinical projects investigating 3D, IMRT, and cobalt treatment planning data as well as QA data were performed and presented by students. The program concluded with a symposium highlighting student experiences, collaborations built and future initiatives. Symposium speakers also included government officials, physicists, oncologists, engineers and professors of public health and law.
Conclusion: A model for a global medical physics training program was developed and successfully implemented. We believe such academic collaborations will contribute to sustainability and bi-directionality of international partnerships in medical physics, increase intercultural competence, and develop future leaders in global medical physics.