INTERCOMPARISON OF EYE LENS DOSEMETERS.

An intercomparison of eye lens dosemeters has been conducted in terms of the quantity Hp(3). For the first time, besides photon radiation also beta radiation qualities were included. Three dosemeter types designed for the quantity Hp(3) and ten for Hp(0.07) took part in the intercomparison. As shown in a previous intercomparison for photon radiation only, the dosemeters designed for Hp(0.07) and calibrated in terms of Hp(3) performed well in photon radiation fields. But for beta radiation, it turned out that Hp(0.07) dosemeters over-responded up to a factor of 5 000 (with respect to the true Hp(3) dose) in the medium beta energy range (85Kr with a beta endpoint energy of 0.69 MeV), while some Hp(3) dosemeters performed quite well. For medium (57 keV) and high (662 keV) energy photon radiation, all dosemeter types showed response values well within the trumpet curve according to the current draft of ISO 14146.

SECONDARY STANDARD CALIBRATION, MEASUREMENT AND IRRADIATION CAPABILITIES OF THE INDIVIDUAL MONITORING SERVICE AT THE HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MÜNCHEN: ASPECTS OF UNCERTAINTY AND AUTOMATION.

The individual monitoring service at the Helmholtz Zentrum München has adopted the recommendations of the ISO 4037 and 6980 standards series as base of its dosimetric systems for X-ray, gamma and beta dosimetry. These standards define technical requirements for radiation spectra and measurement processes, but leave flexibility in the implementation of irradiations as well as in the resulting uncertainty in dose or dose rate. This article provides an example for their practical implementation in the Munich IAEA/WHO secondary standard dosimetry laboratory. It focusses on two aspects: automation issues and uncertainties in calibration.

[Eye lens radiation exposure during ureteroscopy with and without a face protection shield: Investigations on a phantom model]. / Strahlenbelastung der Augenlinse bei ureterorenoskopischen Eingriffen ohne und mit Strahlenschutzvisier : Untersuchungen an einem Phantommodell.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eye lens radiation exposure during radiologically-guided endoscopic procedures may result in radiation-induced cataracts; therefore, we investigated the ocular radiation exposure during ureteroscopy on a phantom model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an Alderson phantom model and eye lens dosimeters, we measured the ocular radiation exposure depending on the number of X-ray images and on the duration of fluoroscopic imaging. The measurements were done with and without using a face protection shield. RESULTS: We could demonstrate that a significant ocular radiation exposure can occur, depending on the number of X-ray images and on the duration time of fluoroscopy. Eye lens doses up to 0.025 mSv were recorded even using modern digital X-ray systems. Using face protection shields this ocular radiation exposure can be reduced to a minimum. CONCLUSION: The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations of a mean eye lens dosage of 20 mSv/year may be exceeded during repeated ureteroscopy by a high volume surgeon. Using a face protection shield, the eye lens dose during ureteroscopy could be reduced to a minimum in a phantom model. Further investigations will show whether these results can be transferred to real life ureteroscopic procedures.

Promoting diversity in the medical school pipeline: a national overview.

The barriers facing those who promote diversity in medical education are growing higher, but the need for diversity is greater than ever. One of the best, most direct ways to attain diversity within medical school populations is simply to produce more applicants who are qualified, so that greater numbers of students from groups underrepresented in medicine can be selected. To maintain and increase the flow of students, medical schools must exert pressure at all points along the educational pipeline and into medical practice. Such pressure can be applied through programs that stimulate and sustain interest in medicine by providing meaningful experiences that prepare students for medical studies and careers. As guest editors of Academic Medicine's April 1999 theme issue on educational programs that strengthen the pipeline to medical school, the authors collected a special set of papers reflecting the variety of such programs offered by academic medical institutions. The articles were solicited by a national call for papers, and eventually 26 papers were selected for inclusion. This set is not a comprehensive list of diversity programs, or even of the types of programs available. Rather, it is a description of replicable programs that the guest editors hope may be useful to their colleagues in medical education, encourage development of new diversity initiatives, or help to build support for ongoing programs.

Producing physicians for south Texas.

South Texas, one of the fastest growing regions in the country, remains among the most medically underserved, in part, because few students from South Texas enter medical school. To address this issue and to increase the diversity of the matriculant pool, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and The University of Texas-Pan American (UT-PA) established in 1994 the Premedical Honors College (PHC), a rigorous undergraduate program at UT-PA for students from South Texas high schools. Students who complete all PHC requirements and BCM prerequisites are accepted into BCM upon graduation from UT-PA. Those in good standing receive counseling, enrichment experiences, and tuition and fee waivers from UT-PA and BCM. The program is increasing the number of students from South Texas universities matriculating into medical school, and is expanding the involvement of local physicians in undergraduate education, heightening visibility for partner institutions, and becoming an effective, replicable bachelor of science/doctor of medicine model.

Results of a summer academy to increase minority student access to allied health and other health professions.

To promote interest among incoming ninth grade students at two specialized high schools for health professions, and to help these students prepare for the upcoming high school experience and for pursuit of education and careers in allied health and other health professions, a three-week Summer Health Professions Academy was established. Students, 82.8% of whom were African American or Hispanic, participated in relevant didactic and experiential activities, with emphasis on allied health. Science, problem solving, communications, health career counseling, and allied health career exploration activities are described. Results of instruments administered both prior to and following the Academy indicated that students improved their abilities to analyze and solve science problems, and increased their knowledge of the nine primarily allied health professions emphasized during the program. Students also demonstrated heightened awareness of the factors that could impede their pursuit of allied health professions and other health careers.

A follow-up study of allied health educational and career interests of graduates of a high school for health professions.

In response to reports and trends suggesting a national shortage of health professionals, a survey was administered to graduates from Houston's High School for Health Professions, in part to measure their interests in pursuing higher education and careers in the allied health fields. Project administrators were concerned that only 82 of 1,028 survey respondents indicating a career choice (8.0%) expressed interests in allied health. The career choices, educational pursuits, perceptions regarding likelihood of career attainment, and factors influencing career attainment of these 82 respondents were examined. Ultimately, it is believed that many students are unaware of allied health professions, and that others simply do not perceive allied health disciplines as attractive career options. Results of this study are consistent with other reports suggesting that new strategies must be employed nationally to promote greater participation in allied health, especially by groups previously underrepresented in these professions.