Medical physics is a branch of applied physics, pursued by medical physicists, that uses physics principles, methods and techniques in practice and research for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases with a specific goal of improving human health and well-being (ref. International Organisation for Medical Physics, IOMP). In Finnish framework, medical physics is covering four major sub-fields (specialties) including medical imaging, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, clinical physiology and neurophysiology. Medical physics is also closely linked to neighbouring sciences such as biophysics and health physics.
In the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, medical physics is engaged in academic research, teaching and clinical physics support services. In Finland, most professionals in this area have achieved the professional qualification of a medical physicist. Medical physicist act in various roles in healthcare, such as an expert in medical use of radiation (Radiation Protection Experts or Radiation Safety Officers) as required in the Finnish legislation, and in many expert, research and development tasks. In many cases, our work requires fluent multiprofessional and multidisciplinary collaboration. Our methods and applications are also increasingly data driven.
Faculty of Science, in collaboration with the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), provide professional education and training to become a medical physicist. The education consists of
The theoretical education is provided according to the curricula of the Master’s programme in Materials Research (MATRES) and Doctoral Programme in Science (SciDoc) including discipline area of Materials Research and Nanoscience.
The national Education Committee of Medical Physicists coordinating the specialisation of medical physicists is responsible for education harmonisation.
Professor Mika Kortesniemi
Tel. +358 50 4271319
E-mail mika.kortesniemi[at]helsinki.fi