International Organization for Medical Physics
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) is a professional organization for medical physics with nearly 22,000 members in 84 countries.[1]
IOMP logo | |
| Abbreviation | IOMP |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1963 |
| Headquarters | York |
Region | Global |
Official language | English |
President | John Damilakis |
Vice-President | Eva Bezak |
Past President | Madan Rehani |
Secretary-General | Magdalena Stoeva |
| Website | www |
Objectives and history
IOMP is charged with a mission to advance medical physics practice worldwide by disseminating scientific and technical information, fostering the educational and professional development of medical physics and promoting the highest quality medical services for patients.
IOMP was formed in January 1963 initially with 4 affiliated national member organizations (Canada, Sweden, UK, USA).[2] After 50 years of active existence and global support for the medical physics profession, IOMP has a membership of 80 national member organizations and 6 regional organizations. IOMP is affiliated to IUPESM, IUPAP and ICSU and is officially connected to IFMBE.
IOMP collaborates with professional bodies such as IRPA and ICRP and international organizations such as WHO and IAEA in promoting the development of medical physics and safe use of radiation and radiological equipment technology.
IOMP publishes an electronic Newsletter (Medical Physics World) and an open-source journal (Medical Physics International).
To raise awareness about the role medical physicists play for the benefit of patients, IOMP organizes the annual International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) on November 7 - the birthday of Marie Sklodowska-Curie.[3]
The World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering (World Congress) is organised by IOMP (together with IFMBE and IUPESM) as well as the International Congress of Medical Physics (ICMP), held between World Congresses.[4]
International Day of Medical Physics
| International Day of Medical Physics | |
|---|---|
 Marie Sklodowska-Curie, whose birthday is commemorated on this day | |
| Observed by | Medical physicists worldwide |
| Type | International |
| Date | 7 November |
| Next time | 7 November 2026 |
| Frequency | annual |
| First time | 2013 |
| Related to | World Radiography Day, Marie Curie |
The International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) is observed annually on 7 November to highlight the role of medical physicists in healthcare and to raise awareness about the importance of medical physics in patient diagnosis, treatment, and safety. The idea for the International Day of Medical Physics was proposed by the IOMP in 2013. The date commemorates the birthday of Marie Sklodowska-Curie (1867–1934), whose pioneering research on radioactivity laid the foundation for modern medical physics and radiological sciences.[5]
The first official celebration took place on 7 November 2013, marking the 46th anniversary of IOMP’s establishment and recognizing Curie’s legacy in the application of physics to medicine.[5] The initiative aimed to promote the visibility of the medical physics profession and its contribution to global health care systems.[6]
Objectives
The main objectives of IDMP are to:[7]
- Promote understanding of the role of medical physicists in modern healthcare.
- Enhance public awareness of radiation safety and quality assurance in medical imaging and therapy.
- Encourage young scientists to pursue careers in medical physics.
- Foster collaboration among professionals, institutions, and organizations working in medical physics and related fields.
Observance
Each year, the IOMP announces a global theme and encourages medical physicists and organizations worldwide to celebrate through:[8]
- Educational seminars, webinars, and workshops.
- Outreach programs for students and the public.
- Exhibitions, public lectures, and hospital open days.
- Media campaigns and social media engagement.
National and regional medical physics societies—such as the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP), and the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP)—also organize local events and publish materials to commemorate the day.[9]
Themes
Each year’s IDMP carries a specific theme reflecting current global priorities in healthcare physics:
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Radiation Exposure: How Much is Too Much? |
| 2014 | Looking into the Body – Caring for the Patient |
| 2015 | Better Medical Physics = Better Cancer Care |
| 2016 | Education in Medical Physics – The Key to Success |
| 2017 | Improving Health Quality, Increasing Patient Safety |
| 2018 | Medical Physics for Patient Benefit |
| 2019 | It’s a Medical Physics World! |
| 2020 | Medical Physicist as a Health Professional |
| 2021 | Communicating the Role of Medical Physicists to the Public |
| 2022 | Medical Physics for Sustainable Healthcare |
| 2023 | Standing on the Shoulders of Giants – Role of Medical Physicists in the Era of Artificial Intelligence |
| 2024 | Safety, Security and Sustainability in Medical Physics |
| 2025 | Medical Physics and Emerging Technologies: Shaping the Next Decade |
Significance
Medical physicists play a vital role in the safe and effective use of radiation and advanced technologies in medicine. Their work includes:
- Ensuring accurate dose delivery in radiotherapy.
- Maintaining image quality and safety in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine.
- Developing novel imaging and treatment technologies.
- Supporting research, education, and quality management systems in healthcare.
The IDMP serves as a platform to acknowledge their contribution to improving patient outcomes and advancing global health technologies.[10][11]
IOMP member countries
Countries are represented by the respective National Organizations for Medical Physics.
Regional organizations
- European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP)
- Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP)
- Latin American Medical Physics Association (ALFIM)
- Southeast Asian Federation of Organizations of Medical Physics (SEAFOMP)
- Federation of African Medical Physics Organisations (FAMPO)
- Middle East Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (MEFOMP)