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Radiological Physics 1896-1976
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Editorial
Jack S. Krohmer, Ph.D. During the past 80 years Radiological Physicists have become integral members of the professional Radiological community. This has been brought about through the efforts of many professional organizations which have sponsored certification programs, scientific meetings, refresher courses, commissions, and accreditation survey teams. Radiological Physicists are welcomed and valued members. INDEX TERMS:
Bicentenlal
e
Editorials. Radiology and radiologists
Radiology 120:225, July 1976
• Although the first workers in the field of Radiology were Physicists (Roentgen, Curie, Becquerel, and others), the development of the specialty of Radiological Physics has been somewhat slower than the development of Radiology itself. Initial organizational identification of Physicists in Radiology occurred through the Associated Sciences Committee of the Radiological Society of North America in the 1920s. At that time, only a handful of Physicists were actually working in Radiology. The American Board of Radiology (ABR), which was formed in May of 1934, recognized Radiological physics as a discipline in an informal manner in 1935. It was not until 1949 that the ABR conducted the first formal certifying examinations for Radiological Physicists. The first examination included only four candidates. Since that time, 244 individuals have been certified by the ABR in Radiological Physics or its branches (Therapeutic Radioiogical Physics, Diagnostic Radiological Physics, Medical Nuclear Physics, and Roentgen-Ray and Gamma-Ray Physics). The rate at which Physicists are being certified has increased spectacularly since 1974 when the certification process was modified to include a written as well as an oral examination. In 1975, over 130 Physicists took either the oral or the written examination or both. Over 125 were examined in June of this bicentennial year and many more will be examined in December. It should be of interest to Radiologists that these Physicists represent the only nonphysicians who have ever been certified by a medical specialty board. Although other
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factors must be considered, possession of ABR certification, with its requirements for training and experience, should be taken into account when Radiological Physicists are hired. In 1958, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) was formed. This organization, which is made up mainly of Radiological Physicists, has over 1,100 members and is growing at a rate of more than 100/0 per year. The AAPM holds an annual scientific and business meeting each summer and for the past three years has jointly sponsored many scientific sessions of the RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Its members also present a significant fraction of the refresher courses at these meetings. AAPM members serve on over 40 American College of Radiology (ACR) Commissions and Committees and in 1975 they started serving, along with Radiologists, as members of ACR Accreditation Survey Teams. Thus in the last 80 years the Radiological Physicist has become recognized as an important professional contributor. This situation is gratifying to the Radiological Physics community and hopefully to the whole field of Radiology.
Radiology Associates of Erie 104 East Second St. Erie, Pa. 16507
From Radiology Associates of Erie, Erie, Penn. Accepted for publication in March 1976.
225
elk
Radiological Physics 1896-1976
1
•
Editorial
Jack S. Krohmer, Ph.D. During the past 80 years Radiological Physicists have become integral members of the professional Radiological community. This has been brought about through the efforts of many professional organizations which have sponsored certification programs, scientific meetings, refresher courses, commissions, and accreditation survey teams. Radiological Physicists are welcomed and valued members. INDEX TERMS:
Bicentenlal
e
Editorials. Radiology and radiologists
Radiology 120:225, July 1976
• Although the first workers in the field of Radiology were Physicists (Roentgen, Curie, Becquerel, and others), the development of the specialty of Radiological Physics has been somewhat slower than the development of Radiology itself. Initial organizational identification of Physicists in Radiology occurred through the Associated Sciences Committee of the Radiological Society of North America in the 1920s. At that time, only a handful of Physicists were actually working in Radiology. The American Board of Radiology (ABR), which was formed in May of 1934, recognized Radiological physics as a discipline in an informal manner in 1935. It was not until 1949 that the ABR conducted the first formal certifying examinations for Radiological Physicists. The first examination included only four candidates. Since that time, 244 individuals have been certified by the ABR in Radiological Physics or its branches (Therapeutic Radioiogical Physics, Diagnostic Radiological Physics, Medical Nuclear Physics, and Roentgen-Ray and Gamma-Ray Physics). The rate at which Physicists are being certified has increased spectacularly since 1974 when the certification process was modified to include a written as well as an oral examination. In 1975, over 130 Physicists took either the oral or the written examination or both. Over 125 were examined in June of this bicentennial year and many more will be examined in December. It should be of interest to Radiologists that these Physicists represent the only nonphysicians who have ever been certified by a medical specialty board. Although other
1
factors must be considered, possession of ABR certification, with its requirements for training and experience, should be taken into account when Radiological Physicists are hired. In 1958, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) was formed. This organization, which is made up mainly of Radiological Physicists, has over 1,100 members and is growing at a rate of more than 100/0 per year. The AAPM holds an annual scientific and business meeting each summer and for the past three years has jointly sponsored many scientific sessions of the RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. Its members also present a significant fraction of the refresher courses at these meetings. AAPM members serve on over 40 American College of Radiology (ACR) Commissions and Committees and in 1975 they started serving, along with Radiologists, as members of ACR Accreditation Survey Teams. Thus in the last 80 years the Radiological Physicist has become recognized as an important professional contributor. This situation is gratifying to the Radiological Physics community and hopefully to the whole field of Radiology.
Radiology Associates of Erie 104 East Second St. Erie, Pa. 16507
From Radiology Associates of Erie, Erie, Penn. Accepted for publication in March 1976.
225
elk
