Design and implementation of an AAPM volunteer database for advancing global medical physics initiatives.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) members' availability to volunteer, share their expertise, and promote global collaboration in medical physics by partnering with international colleagues who seek support in strengthening their medical physics practice.

METHODS

The questionnaire was administered to AAPM members to assess their willingness to volunteer, preferred engagement modalities, and availability for different types of volunteer activities. The questionnaire was integrated into the AAPM member profile and covered therapy, diagnostic, and nuclear medicine disciplines, capturing participants' visiting preferences and expertise in teaching and training. Respondents were categorized based on demographic factors such as years of experience, expertise areas, and geographic location.

RESULTS

A total of 409 AAPM members completed and submitted 427 responses to the questionnaire (18 members submitted two discipline-specific sets). The 4% response rate confines this report to exploratory findings rather than predictive conclusions for all AAPM members. Most respondents expressed a preference for short-term engagements, with 49.2% favoring visits of less than one week. Volunteers reported significant expertise, with a substantial portion having more than 15 years of professional experience. Additionally, respondents demonstrated active participation in international activities, with 57 engaged in AAPM initiatives and over 100 involved in private nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

CONCLUSIONS

This report highlights the breadth of expertise and willingness of AAPM members to collaborate and support education across all specialties, contributing to the advancement of global medical physics. While the volunteer data shows significant experience and expertise, targeted recruitment is needed in certain specialized areas. This initiative offers a scalable and sustainable model for global volunteerism in medical physics, complementing traditional in person training and addressing the needs of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).