title: An assessment of radiation oncology medical physicists' perspectives on undertaking research.
abstract: As part of a study of the radiation oncology workforce, radiation oncology medical physicists (ROMPs) who had worked in Australia were surveyed regarding their attitudes to participating in research. Responses from 88 ROMPs were available for analysis, representing a broad mix of employment situations and research experience. Greater than 70% of ROMPs described their involvement in research as "liking it" or "loving it", with associated identified benefits including skills development, job satisfaction and career progression. Over half of respondents agreed that involvement in research inspired them to stay in their profession. However, lack of time, support and motivation were all identified as barriers to participation in research. Areas of research interest were identified. This study highlights the importance of a research culture for job satisfaction and staff retention.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia. Martin.Ebert@health.wa.gov.au.|School of Physics, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia. Martin.Ebert@health.wa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Georgia K B
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Halkett
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Genesis Cancer Care Western Australia, Wembley, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cutt
authors.affiliation: Genesis Cancer Care Western Australia, Wembley, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia.|School of Nursing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Desley
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hegney
authors.affiliation: School of Physics, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: House
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krawiec
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kearvell
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Evaluation Unit, School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maresse
authors.affiliation: Genesis Cancer Care Western Australia, Wembley, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McLoone
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Occupational; Physicists; Radiation oncology; Research; Satisfaction; Workforce