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. 2023;13(3):495-503.
doi: 10.1007/s12553-023-00756-0. Epub 2023 May 6.

Science diplomacy in medical physics - an international perspective

Eva Bezak  1   2   3   4 , Cari Borrás  5 , Francis Hasford  6   7   3 , Nupur Karmaker  8 , Angela Keyser  9 , Magdalena Stoeva  10   3 , Christoph Trauernicht  7   11 , Hong Chai Yeong  12   13 , Loredana G Marcu  1   14   15
Affiliations

Science diplomacy in medical physics - an international perspective

Eva Bezak et al. Health Technol (Berl). 2023.

Abstract

Purpose: Science diplomacy in medical physics is a relatively young research field and translational practice that focuses on establishing international collaborations to address some of the questions biomedical professionals face globally. This paper aims to present an overview of science diplomacy in medical physics, from an international perspective, illustrating the ways collaborations within and across continents can lead to scientific and professional achievements that advance scientific growth and improve patients care.

Methods: Science diplomacy actions were sought that promote collaborations in medical physics across the continents, related to professional and scientific aspects alike.

Results: Several science diplomacy actions have been identified to promote education and training, to facilitate research and development, to effectively communicate science to the public, to enable equitable access of patients to healthcare and to focus on gender equity within the profession as well as healthcare provision. Scientific and professional organizations in the field of medical physics across all continents have adopted a number of efforts in their aims, many of them with great success, to promote science diplomacy and to foster international collaborations.

Conclusions: Professionals in medical physics can advance through international cooperation, by building strong communication across scientific communities, addressing rising demands, exchange scientific information and knowledge.

Keywords: Gender equity; Leadership; Research and development; STEM fields; Scientific collaboration; Teaching and education.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestNone.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Number of collaboration links established by high-income countries within H2020 (data from [25])
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Number of collaboration links established by lower-income countries within H2020 (data from [25])
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Medical Physicists now classified by ILO as a profession, e-Zine IOMP. April 2012, http://www.emerald2.eu/ezine/education.html, Last visited 12.02.2023.
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