The Italian young medical physicist scenario: Results from the young AIFM group survey

Purpose: The young working group of the Italian Association of Medical and Health Physics (AIFM) designed a survey to assess the current situation of the under 35 AIFM members. Methods: An online survey including 65 questions was designed to gather personal information, educational issues, working and research experience, and to evaluate the AIFM activities. The survey was distributed to the under 35 members between November 2022 and February 2023, through the young AIFM mailing list and social media. Results: 160 answers from 230 affiliates (70%, 31 years median age) were obtained. The results highlighted that 87% of the respondents had a fixed term/permanent employment, mainly in public hospitals (58%). Regarding Medical Physicists (MPs) training, 54% of the students left their region of origin due to the training plan (40%) and the availability of scholarships (25%) in the chosen university. Most of the respondents have no Radiation Protection Expert title, while the remaining 20%, 6%, and 3% are qualified to the first, second, and third level, respectively. Several young MPs (62.2%) were involved in research activities; however, only 28% had teaching experience, mainly within their workplace (20%, safety courses), during AIFM courses (4%), or university lectures (3%). Conclusions: This survey reported the current situation of the under 35 AIFM members, highlighting the brain drain phenomenon from the south to the north of Italy, mainly due to the lack of post-graduate schools, scholarships, and job opportunities. The obtained results will help the future working program of the AIFM.

Automated summary

The young working group of the Italian Association of Medical and Health Physics (AIFM) conducted an online survey to assess the current situation of the under 35 AIFM members. The results showed that a majority of the respondents had fixed term/permanent employment in public hospitals, with a significant number of students leaving their region of origin for their training and education. Most of the respondents lacked a Radiation Protection Expert title and only a small percentage had teaching experience. The survey highlighted the brain drain phenomenon and will inform the future working program of the AIFM.