Medical Physics is at a crossroads. Broad and profound changes in the livery of healthcare are underway and accelerating, and it is urgent for our profession to address these changes head-on. We are faced with new mandates to deliver value-based, personalized, and evidence-based medicine. Reimbursements are diminishing at the same time. These realities necessitate medical physics to change. In any progression of this nature, it is crucial to understand the goals and proactively set a standard that can clarify, unify, and motivate the advancement.
Medical Physics 3.0 (MP3.0) is an initiative to define and practice sustainable excellence in medical physics. MP3.0 is re-visiting our roots and re-envisioning our desired contributions to quality healthcare. It asks the question of whether we are fulfilling our potential, and if we are not, how we can do so. MP3.0 is based on the core premise that medical physicists have a unique calling and expertise to be scientific agents of precision and innovation in the development and practice of medicine. MP3.0 aims to foster a culture within medical physics of seizing such opportunities, engaging proactively and meaningfully in patient care, and growing and building upon the unique skills of medical physicists. Towards this goal, the MP3.0 initiative is devising the following road map focused on:
MP3.0 currently has a number of projects underway including the production of a video series designed to express the value of medical physics to patients, administrators, and physicians, educational offerings at the upcoming RSNA and AAPM meetings, a webpage with examples of “MP3.0 in practice”, and white papers to delineate how physicists can enact, express, and enhance the full value of physics towards human health.