Radiation Protection Dosimetry Advance Access published April 5, 2015 Radiation Protection Dosimetry (2015), pp. 1–5
doi:10.1093/rpd/ncv080
RADIATION PROTECTION ASPECTS OF EMITEL ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF MEDICAL PHYSICS M. Stoeva1,*, S. Tabakov2, C. Lewis2, V. Tabakova2, J. Thurston3 and P. Smith4 1 Department of Medical Imaging, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria 2 Department of Medical Engineering and Physics, King’s College, London, UK 3 Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK 4 International Organisation for Medical Physics (IOMP), York, UK *Corresponding author: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION Medical Physics is a very dynamic profession—the last 25 y have changed dramatically most of its areas, introducing new methods and equipment with speed, which requires constant update of skills and knowledge. Radiation protection is one of the leading and fastest developing areas of medical physics and society. The interdisciplinary position of radiation protection turns it into a key resource in ensuring the public safety. The international project European Medical Imaging Technology e-Encyclopaedia for Lifelong Learning (EMITEL) (Figure 1), funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci programme and included partners from King’s College London and King’s College Hospital, University of Lund and Lund University Hospital, University of Florence, AM Studio Plovdiv and the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP), has developed an e-Encyclopaedia for Medical Physics with multilingual dictionary(1 – 4). EMITEL is an innovative e-learning tool—a large searchable web database, including multilingual Digital Dictionary of Terms with explanatory articles for each term. The total number of terms in English is 3400. The Dictionary cross-translates to/from any two languages from its database. Each term is covered by an explanatory/encyclopaedic article in English. This web resource is free to use over the Internet at www.emitel2.eu. Information is well organised and
visualised. It is a valuable source of information for Medical Physicists and related specialties targeting readers with MSc level and above(1). The printed Medical Physics Encyclopaedia originates from the initial EMITEL project. It serves mainly institutional staff and students as reference materials(5 – 7). This unique print-out encyclopaedia offers reputable content and has a great contribution to the Medical Physics societies all around the world(5).
OBJECTIVES The objective of the pilot project EMITEL is to develop an original e-learning tool for lifelong/continuing learning of a wide range of specialists in Medical Physics and Medical Imaging Technology. This paper describes the main aspects of the radiation protection elements of this first Medical Physics e-Encyclopaedia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS The model of the EMITEL Encyclopaedia is built around a larger number of short encyclopaedic entries. This model allows effective search for information. All terms are developed around a common template, refereed and included in a large web database with two search engines (Figure 2).
# The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected]
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
The Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics EMITEL was developed under the EU pilot project European Medical Imaging Technology e-Encyclopaedia for Lifelong Learning. This large reference material includes 3400 articles on 2100 pages supported by thousands of illustrations. All materials are available free at the website, www.emitel2.eu. The articles are grouped in seven categories—physics of: X-ray diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, radiation protection and general terms. The radiation protection part of EMITEL includes 450 articles. These were organised in several sub-groups including: nuclear and atomic physics; ionizing radiation interactions and biological effects; radiation detection and measurement; dosimetric quantities and units; and general radiation protection and international bodies. EMITEL project was developed over 3 y and attracted as contributors 2501 senior specialists from 35 countries. After its successful launching, EMITEL is actively used by thousands of professionals around the world.
M. STOEVA ET AL.
EMITEL is linked to the existing EMERALD and EMIT materials (developed by the core of the present consortium) forming a one-stop knowledge database for those who want to acquire a specific competence and for those who want to refresh their knowledge and to learn about the new developments in the profession. EMITEL is also linked to the multilingual Medical Physics Digital Dictionary, which will help its users in many countries worldwide. Currently, the database of the e-Dictionary includes 29 languages. EMITEL radiation protection part targets the daily work of the medical physicists as a combination
RESULTS The encyclopaedia features the work of hundreds of contributors worldwide who are specialists in their respective areas. It describes new and existing methods and equipment in medical physics at a level accessible to graduate and postgraduate students as well as medical specialists. Most articles include references, further readings, images, graphs, formulas and examples (Figure 3). The model of the Encyclopaedia was built around a larger number of short (encyclopaedic entries) specific articles, rather than a small number of multipage articles. This model allows effective search for information. Each dictionary entry is associated with an encyclopaedic article in English. The EMITEL encyclopaedia has two modes of operation—single featured mode—dictionary or encyclopaedia and advanced mode—dictionary plus encyclopaedia (Figure 4). The multi-media content within the Medical Physics Encyclopaedia is meant not only for illustrative purposes but also it eases the understanding of the information and in many cases provides valuable practical data and guidance. More than 2000 images, graphs, tables, illustrations, etc. were included in the articles to enhance the educational value as reference materials. Each article includes contribution from three specialists—author,
Figure 2. EMITEL database structure and data flow diagram.
Page 2 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Figure 1. EMITEL project.
of practical and theoretical approaches, legal and operational advice.
RADIATION PROTECTION ASPECTS OF EMITEL
referee and a group coordinator. The encyclopaedic articles are grouped in seven major categories:
The radiation protection part of EMITEL includes 450 articles. These are organised in several subgroups including:
† † † † † † †
† † † † † † †
Diagnostic radiology Nuclear medicine Radiotherapy Magnetic resonance imaging Ultrasound imaging Radiation protection General terms
Nuclear and atomic physics Ionising radiation interactions Biological effects Radiation detection and measurement Dosimetric quantities and units General radiation protection International bodies
CONCLUSION Figure 3. EMITEL website—www.emitel2.eu.
EMITEL’s biggest achievements can be summarised in several aspects:
Figure 4. EMITEL website—combined mode.
Page 3 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Other EMITEL groups also include articles on radiation protection, specific to their subjects as nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, MRI, etc. The paper Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics is co-published by the EMITEL consortium and supported by the IOMP, Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics contains 2800 cross-referenced entries relating to medical physics and associated technologies (Figure 5).
M. STOEVA ET AL.
† † †
The first e-Encyclopaedia in medical physics The largest/most extensive cross-translational dictionary of terms in medical physics The most contemporary printed Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics
Leading on-line learning and reference resource Free source for professional information Ease of access has special contribution for the developing regions
The radiation protection section of the EMITEL project is considered to be one of its strongest parts. The extensive professionally related list of terms has been selected by some of the leading professionals in the area. It serves not only as introductory information but also as a professional reference. EMITEL project and its materials have been successfully disseminated throughout the medical physics professional societies and related specialties worldwide (Figure 6) forming a wide support and distribution network. The e-Encyclopaedia attracted .250 specialists from 35 countries—UK, Sweden, Italy, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain; Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Croatia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, Thailand, Turkey and USA. The number of contributors expands rapidly. This network has a vital role in the current and future support and maintenance of the EMITEL resources. EMITEL is an extensive and highly valuable learning and reference environment. It is the final result of over a decade of efforts of the international professional teams and logically follows the development
Figure 6. EMITEL consortium and dissemination map.
Page 4 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Figure 5. Encyclopaedia of medical physics—printed version.
† † †
RADIATION PROTECTION ASPECTS OF EMITEL
timeline of the preceding EU Projects EMERALD, EMERALD II and EMIT. REFERENCES 1. EMITEL website. Available on www.emitel2.eu (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 2. EC project 162-504 EMITEL. Available on http://ec. europa.eu/research/index.cfm (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 3. EMERALD website. Available on www.emerald2.eu (15 March 2015, date last accessed).
4. IOMP website. Available on www.iomp.org (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 5. Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics Reviews. Available on www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439846520 (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 6. Tabakov, S., Milano, F., Strand, S.-E., Lewis, C. and Sprawls, P., EMITEL Consortium. Encyclopedia of Medical Physics, Vol. 1, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press (2013). 7. Tabakov, S., Milano, F., Strand, S.-E., Lewis, C. and Sprawls, P., EMITEL Consortium. Encyclopedia of Medical Physics, Vol. 2, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press (2013).
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Page 5 of 5
doi:10.1093/rpd/ncv080
RADIATION PROTECTION ASPECTS OF EMITEL ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF MEDICAL PHYSICS M. Stoeva1,*, S. Tabakov2, C. Lewis2, V. Tabakova2, J. Thurston3 and P. Smith4 1 Department of Medical Imaging, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria 2 Department of Medical Engineering and Physics, King’s College, London, UK 3 Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK 4 International Organisation for Medical Physics (IOMP), York, UK *Corresponding author: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION Medical Physics is a very dynamic profession—the last 25 y have changed dramatically most of its areas, introducing new methods and equipment with speed, which requires constant update of skills and knowledge. Radiation protection is one of the leading and fastest developing areas of medical physics and society. The interdisciplinary position of radiation protection turns it into a key resource in ensuring the public safety. The international project European Medical Imaging Technology e-Encyclopaedia for Lifelong Learning (EMITEL) (Figure 1), funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci programme and included partners from King’s College London and King’s College Hospital, University of Lund and Lund University Hospital, University of Florence, AM Studio Plovdiv and the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP), has developed an e-Encyclopaedia for Medical Physics with multilingual dictionary(1 – 4). EMITEL is an innovative e-learning tool—a large searchable web database, including multilingual Digital Dictionary of Terms with explanatory articles for each term. The total number of terms in English is 3400. The Dictionary cross-translates to/from any two languages from its database. Each term is covered by an explanatory/encyclopaedic article in English. This web resource is free to use over the Internet at www.emitel2.eu. Information is well organised and
visualised. It is a valuable source of information for Medical Physicists and related specialties targeting readers with MSc level and above(1). The printed Medical Physics Encyclopaedia originates from the initial EMITEL project. It serves mainly institutional staff and students as reference materials(5 – 7). This unique print-out encyclopaedia offers reputable content and has a great contribution to the Medical Physics societies all around the world(5).
OBJECTIVES The objective of the pilot project EMITEL is to develop an original e-learning tool for lifelong/continuing learning of a wide range of specialists in Medical Physics and Medical Imaging Technology. This paper describes the main aspects of the radiation protection elements of this first Medical Physics e-Encyclopaedia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS The model of the EMITEL Encyclopaedia is built around a larger number of short encyclopaedic entries. This model allows effective search for information. All terms are developed around a common template, refereed and included in a large web database with two search engines (Figure 2).
# The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected]
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
The Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics EMITEL was developed under the EU pilot project European Medical Imaging Technology e-Encyclopaedia for Lifelong Learning. This large reference material includes 3400 articles on 2100 pages supported by thousands of illustrations. All materials are available free at the website, www.emitel2.eu. The articles are grouped in seven categories—physics of: X-ray diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, radiation protection and general terms. The radiation protection part of EMITEL includes 450 articles. These were organised in several sub-groups including: nuclear and atomic physics; ionizing radiation interactions and biological effects; radiation detection and measurement; dosimetric quantities and units; and general radiation protection and international bodies. EMITEL project was developed over 3 y and attracted as contributors 2501 senior specialists from 35 countries. After its successful launching, EMITEL is actively used by thousands of professionals around the world.
M. STOEVA ET AL.
EMITEL is linked to the existing EMERALD and EMIT materials (developed by the core of the present consortium) forming a one-stop knowledge database for those who want to acquire a specific competence and for those who want to refresh their knowledge and to learn about the new developments in the profession. EMITEL is also linked to the multilingual Medical Physics Digital Dictionary, which will help its users in many countries worldwide. Currently, the database of the e-Dictionary includes 29 languages. EMITEL radiation protection part targets the daily work of the medical physicists as a combination
RESULTS The encyclopaedia features the work of hundreds of contributors worldwide who are specialists in their respective areas. It describes new and existing methods and equipment in medical physics at a level accessible to graduate and postgraduate students as well as medical specialists. Most articles include references, further readings, images, graphs, formulas and examples (Figure 3). The model of the Encyclopaedia was built around a larger number of short (encyclopaedic entries) specific articles, rather than a small number of multipage articles. This model allows effective search for information. Each dictionary entry is associated with an encyclopaedic article in English. The EMITEL encyclopaedia has two modes of operation—single featured mode—dictionary or encyclopaedia and advanced mode—dictionary plus encyclopaedia (Figure 4). The multi-media content within the Medical Physics Encyclopaedia is meant not only for illustrative purposes but also it eases the understanding of the information and in many cases provides valuable practical data and guidance. More than 2000 images, graphs, tables, illustrations, etc. were included in the articles to enhance the educational value as reference materials. Each article includes contribution from three specialists—author,
Figure 2. EMITEL database structure and data flow diagram.
Page 2 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Figure 1. EMITEL project.
of practical and theoretical approaches, legal and operational advice.
RADIATION PROTECTION ASPECTS OF EMITEL
referee and a group coordinator. The encyclopaedic articles are grouped in seven major categories:
The radiation protection part of EMITEL includes 450 articles. These are organised in several subgroups including:
† † † † † † †
† † † † † † †
Diagnostic radiology Nuclear medicine Radiotherapy Magnetic resonance imaging Ultrasound imaging Radiation protection General terms
Nuclear and atomic physics Ionising radiation interactions Biological effects Radiation detection and measurement Dosimetric quantities and units General radiation protection International bodies
CONCLUSION Figure 3. EMITEL website—www.emitel2.eu.
EMITEL’s biggest achievements can be summarised in several aspects:
Figure 4. EMITEL website—combined mode.
Page 3 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Other EMITEL groups also include articles on radiation protection, specific to their subjects as nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, MRI, etc. The paper Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics is co-published by the EMITEL consortium and supported by the IOMP, Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics contains 2800 cross-referenced entries relating to medical physics and associated technologies (Figure 5).
M. STOEVA ET AL.
† † †
The first e-Encyclopaedia in medical physics The largest/most extensive cross-translational dictionary of terms in medical physics The most contemporary printed Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics
Leading on-line learning and reference resource Free source for professional information Ease of access has special contribution for the developing regions
The radiation protection section of the EMITEL project is considered to be one of its strongest parts. The extensive professionally related list of terms has been selected by some of the leading professionals in the area. It serves not only as introductory information but also as a professional reference. EMITEL project and its materials have been successfully disseminated throughout the medical physics professional societies and related specialties worldwide (Figure 6) forming a wide support and distribution network. The e-Encyclopaedia attracted .250 specialists from 35 countries—UK, Sweden, Italy, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain; Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Croatia, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, Thailand, Turkey and USA. The number of contributors expands rapidly. This network has a vital role in the current and future support and maintenance of the EMITEL resources. EMITEL is an extensive and highly valuable learning and reference environment. It is the final result of over a decade of efforts of the international professional teams and logically follows the development
Figure 6. EMITEL consortium and dissemination map.
Page 4 of 5
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
Figure 5. Encyclopaedia of medical physics—printed version.
† † †
RADIATION PROTECTION ASPECTS OF EMITEL
timeline of the preceding EU Projects EMERALD, EMERALD II and EMIT. REFERENCES 1. EMITEL website. Available on www.emitel2.eu (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 2. EC project 162-504 EMITEL. Available on http://ec. europa.eu/research/index.cfm (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 3. EMERALD website. Available on www.emerald2.eu (15 March 2015, date last accessed).
4. IOMP website. Available on www.iomp.org (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 5. Encyclopaedia of Medical Physics Reviews. Available on www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439846520 (15 March 2015, date last accessed). 6. Tabakov, S., Milano, F., Strand, S.-E., Lewis, C. and Sprawls, P., EMITEL Consortium. Encyclopedia of Medical Physics, Vol. 1, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press (2013). 7. Tabakov, S., Milano, F., Strand, S.-E., Lewis, C. and Sprawls, P., EMITEL Consortium. Encyclopedia of Medical Physics, Vol. 2, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press (2013).
Downloaded from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Winnipeg on September 11, 2015
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