About developing a new profession – medical physics in Malta

Abstract

Developing a new profession is not easy – and in a small, insular, island state, it is even more difficult. You knock on many doors – the response is always the same: “Medical Physics, what’s that?” They don’t even give you the time of day. Of course, in hindsight, it was to be expected when most administrators’ knowledge of physics was limited to Physics SEC level and Newton’s laws of motion. You are mocked when armed with a short well-crafted presentation you land at the Ministry of Health ready to do your bit to help ensure the effective and safe use of medical devices and physical agents (sources of energy such as x-rays, ultrasound, lasers) in Malta. But you persevere, slowly but surely build support, and in the end prevail. This editorial will first provide some background to the medical physics profession. This will be followed with some lessons learned based on my journey in developing the medical physics profession in Malta, the intention being to help any future leaders who might find themselves facing a similar challenge.