Academic Courses > DOS 516
DOS 516 - Fundamentals of Radiation Safety for Medical Dosimetrists
Course Description
This course covered the effects of radiation on humans, including somatic, genetic, and teratogenic effects. We also covered the difference between stochastic and non-stochastic effect. We discussed the role of time, distance, and shielding to reduce dose, and the methods for determining appropriate design of shielding for radiation areas. The principles of ALARA, maximum allowable dose to radiation workers and to the public, and the organizations that govern the use radiation were also covered.
Assessment
Assessment was based on a series of quizzes as well as contributions to guided discussions. This was the first class in the sequence that actually used outside material to demonstrate laws governing our field (specifically 10 CFR Part 35 and related other parts) and not just recommendations for standards of practice, such as TG-51. It was interesting to learn about the regulatory landscape, and how the NRC's reach is actually fairly limited, but non-covered groups tend to follow its laws as though they were covered anyway, because the rules are sensible and it can form the basis for standardization across the industry.
Discussions
Week 1: Patient Identification
Week 2: Safety Trends and New Technology (short research paper)
Week 3: Buying Time with Shielding
Week 2: Safety Trends and New Technology (short research paper)
Week 3: Buying Time with Shielding
Reflections
At the conclusion of each course, students are asked to reflect on what they have learned about the material and about themselves. The reflection is guided by five questions:
The new knowledge and skills I gained during this course were...
In my physics fundamentals class I learned how radiation interacts with matter at an atomic level. This class helped me understand the big picture of how it affects living organisms. I learned how shielding systems are designed based on energies, usage loads, distances, and the nature of surrounding spaces.
The new knowledge and skills will benefit me by...
As of this writing, I have not yet worked in a setting that included radioactive materials. When I do, I will be much less apprehensive about radiation because I understand all of the safeguards in place and how to follow safe practices to be sure that my exposure is minimized.
I struggle with...
There are a lot of regulations surrounding the safe handling and use of radioactive material, and they include quite a few threshold numbers to memorize. I will have to keep looking them up again and again until I can remember all of them.
I feel pretty good about...
Now that I have a better understanding of radiation safety, I think I will be equipped to recognize unsafe practices if I ever see them, so that they can be remedied.
Other reflective thoughts...
I was somewhat amused to learn that the shielding in my proton center is overbuilt to the point where being inside the building may actually result in me getting LESS radiation than if I were walking around on the street. This actually gives me quite a bit of context to understand the level of safety consciousness that goes into the design of radiation therapy facilities. The reason that we go to this extraordinary level of caution is that accidents can have severe consequences, so it is important to take steps to reduce both their likelihood and severity.
The new knowledge and skills I gained during this course were...
In my physics fundamentals class I learned how radiation interacts with matter at an atomic level. This class helped me understand the big picture of how it affects living organisms. I learned how shielding systems are designed based on energies, usage loads, distances, and the nature of surrounding spaces.
The new knowledge and skills will benefit me by...
As of this writing, I have not yet worked in a setting that included radioactive materials. When I do, I will be much less apprehensive about radiation because I understand all of the safeguards in place and how to follow safe practices to be sure that my exposure is minimized.
I struggle with...
There are a lot of regulations surrounding the safe handling and use of radioactive material, and they include quite a few threshold numbers to memorize. I will have to keep looking them up again and again until I can remember all of them.
I feel pretty good about...
Now that I have a better understanding of radiation safety, I think I will be equipped to recognize unsafe practices if I ever see them, so that they can be remedied.
Other reflective thoughts...
I was somewhat amused to learn that the shielding in my proton center is overbuilt to the point where being inside the building may actually result in me getting LESS radiation than if I were walking around on the street. This actually gives me quite a bit of context to understand the level of safety consciousness that goes into the design of radiation therapy facilities. The reason that we go to this extraordinary level of caution is that accidents can have severe consequences, so it is important to take steps to reduce both their likelihood and severity.
Academic Courses > DOS 516
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Published November 2, 2014
First Semester, Pre-Internship Edited January 18, 2015 |