Author: Dilli Banjade, Ajeet Mishra, Shiaw Juen (Eugene) Tan 👨🔬
Affiliation: District Radiation Oncology Service WNW Health 🌍
Purpose: A shortage of qualified Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists (ROMPs) poses a critical challenge to providing advanced treatments in regional Australia. Training and retaining medical physicists locally is essential to addressing this issue. The Australian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) Training, Education, and Assessment Program (TEAP) has helped bridge some gaps; however, challenges persist, especially in remote centers.
The Central West Cancer Care Centre (CWCCC) and Western Cancer Care Dubbo (WCCD) serve the Far and Central West NSW region, covering 247,000 square kilometers and over 300,000 people. Recruitment and retention of ROMPs have been challenging since the establishment in 2010. However, a dedicated ROMP team successfully implemented the ACPSEM ROMP-TEAP to address these challenges effectively.
Methods: The Medical Physics team adopted ACPSEM Clinical Training Guide methodologies, securing registrar positions and government grants through advocacy and collaboration with stakeholders. Specialized brachytherapy training was provided at other centers.
Results: Since 2015, the center has achieved full ACPSEM TEAP accreditation. A ROMP registrar was recruited in 2015, followed by a second in 2018. Both registrars were certified and retained as permanent ROMPs. Currently, three registrars are enrolled at different stages of training, supported by a regular funding and grants. The department has expanded with TrueBeam, HyperArc, and Halcyon Linacs, enabling advanced treatments such as SABR and SRT.
Registrars have transitioned from trainees to key clinical contributors, aligning with ACPSEM guidelines. Professional development is supported through workshops, conferences, and collaborations. Visits to metropolitan centers address gaps in techniques like brachytherapy and radiosurgery. Retention strategies include fostering a supportive work environment, offering competitive benefits, and providing career progression opportunities.
Conclusion: The CWCCC and WCCD experience demonstrates how a proactive, collaborative training program can address workforce shortages, sustain advanced treatments, and serve as a model for other regional centers.