Question: In what ways can physics be used within medicine?

Jill Magee answered on 13 Mar 2013:

Theres plenty of ways physics can be used in medicine! I’ll give you some examples.

Commonly, medical physics uses the ideas and theory behind physics and applies it to imaging patients. This imaging can be a number of different types – x-rays, CT scans being well known examples. Both these examples use radiation and so physicists are needed not only to help with the equipment, but also to make sure patients and staff are not getting exposed to too much radiation!

We also use radiation for Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy may be something you have heard of, as its a big topic right now. Basically it uses the radiation to try and kill off cancer cells, but not damaging any healthy cells at the same time.

We also use the concept of sound waves in medicine through ultrasound scanning. You will probably have heard of this as pregnant women get given ultrasound scans to check their unborn baby is still healthy.

However its not just imaging that physics can be used for. We have such a thing as bio-mechanics. This is the study of how people move, especially those who have disabilities. Physicists would help design equipment to let these people lead a more normal life.

Finally, physicists can help with medical devices. These sort of devices include electrocardiograms which monitor your heart and electroencephalograms which can monitor your brain activity.

Its all very interesting I promise!