Introduction to Radiation Physics Course
The radiation physics course aims to train the students on various radiation related treatments using sophisticated equipment. Radiation physics treatments are largely used in treating cancers and tumours. The students are given a detailed understanding of the treatment procedures involved in cancer and tumour treatments. The radiation physics students are trained to perform multiple roles in the given day like handling X-ray equipment, CT Scan equipment, MRI equipment, NMR equipment, etc. The radiation physics course is suited best to the students who want to become radiation physicists and help the people who are battling lethal and critical diseases like cancers and tumours.
The M.Sc Radiation physics is the branch of allied health sciences and is the 2-years postgraduate degree programme that can be done after the completion of the B.Sc degree from recognised university. The students who have completed their B.Sc radiology/radiotherapy/MLT etc can also join M.Sc radiation physics. The students who are interested to join M.Sc radiation physics should have studied physics/chemistry/biology in their PUC or 10+2 from the recognized board.
Benefits of Choosing Radiation physics
Radiation physics is one of the leading fields in allied health sciences courses that is witnessing a lot of interest among the students in the last decade. The radio physicists are required to work with radiation emitting equipment for diagnosing the inner parts of the human body. They are usually hired in cancer hospitals and are also involved in treating cancer patients.
Radiation physics is important in medical field
Medical testing is improving by leaps and bounds with advancements in technologies. As a radio physicist one will have an opportunity to get trained on the most cutting-edge equipment that works on the principles of radiation and radiography. One could be right in the middle of the patient diagnosis, working closely with the doctors and patients along with diagnosing the patient with radiation physics equipment for any problems. As a radio physicist one may be trained to do many important diagnostic tests like X-Rays, Fluoroscopy, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computed Tomography), Angiography, etc.
Radio physicists are vital for healthcare
More and more doctors are relying on the precise diagnostic tests that radiation equipment provides because the results are very accurate and precise with radioactive materials. The radio physicists are responsible to diagnose the inner parts of the body for any medical conditions. The reports and images generated by them are necessary for providing accurate treatments by the doctors. The accurate testing is essential for proper diagnosis, but patients can be in pain and anxiety. Radio physicists are required to pacify the patients and ensure that they are calm throughout the process of scanning. They can play an important role in helping prepare patients for those tests both physically and emotionally. The radio physicists are required to explain the procedures to the patient clearly and to clear all the doubts arising in the patient's mind. They are required to be sensitive and careful about a patient’s pain and anxiety levels, as they place the patients in proper position on the equipment so that the images are clear.
Radiation physics is attractive and interesting
The radio physicists are not essentially required to do the same work all the day. Radio physicists can have the chance to get trained on many different procedures using a variety of technical radiography and radiotherapy devices. The radio physicists have a number of jobs to perform like explaining procedures to patients, operating the testing equipment, recording the results of the test, adjusting and maintaining machines, ensuring safety precautions, generating observation reports, working with other radiologists for interpreting the test results, etc.
Radiation physics provides a diverse work environments
When working as a radio physicist, one may have choices of the type of job they do, the environment they work in and even the hours they work. While many radio physicists work in medicine, some choose to work with scientists or engineers and use the radiation instruments to examine fossil bones or examine a product for design flaws. They usually work in different work environments like hospital imaging centres, diagnostic centres, pathology labs, emergency clinics, forensic labs, veterinary practice, out-patient radiology centres and cancer diagnostic centres, etc.
Radiation physics can be a satisfying career
Whether the radio physicists make the testing processes to go more smoothly for the patients and help the doctor by making sure the images are clear or assist a scientist to see a fossil without unwrapping it, a career in radiation physics can give the students a possibility of going to bed at night knowing their work has made the world a better place. This is the sense of satisfaction one as a radiologist enjoys each day after tiring work schedules.
Radiation physics is in huge demand and fast-growing
According to many global jobs surveys, radiation physics is one of the fast-growing job markets with a 25% of projected increase from 2020 to 2025. Additionally, the survey reports claim that the demand further increases in the next 5 to 10 years with higher salary packages being offered for the skilled radiologists in the healthcare sector.
Final words
The M.Sc radiation physics students can find ample job opportunities in numerous healthcare organisations and diagnostic centres. There is an acute shortage of the skilled professionals in the field of radiation physics. The increase in cancer patients has forced the cancer hospitals and cancer diagnostic centres to hire large numbers of skilled radio physicists in recent years. The demand for skilled professionals saw a huge rise in the last decade. The interested students can look for the course in M.Sc Radiation physics to earn a good money and can experience an excellent career growth in the radiation physics field.