Education and Training in Radiation Protection and Mutual Recognition of Qualification in Australia, Canada, News Zealand, Germany and UK

Radiation therapy plays an important role in the management of various cancers. However, it is equally important to keep radiation levels as low as reasonably achievable to protect radiation staff and general public from harmful effects of radiation. This requires implementation of good radiation protection practices at all times which in turn requires good training and knowledge in radiation protection issues. Radiation is used in various sectors such as nuclear, medical and research and the expertise in radiation protection is on decline. Thus maintaining excellent radiation protection practices and competencies is essential in ensuring safe use of ionizing radiation. More over there is lack of mutual recognition of qualified experts across many countries of the world. This paper discovers education and training approaches employed for Radiation protection training for qualified experts (Radiation protection experts, Radiation Protection officers, Radiation protection supervisors and Radiation protection advisors) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and Germany with respect to medical sector especially radiation oncology and radiotherapy.This study also assesses whether mutual recognition of training across these countries exist or not. The study also assesses what is equivalent to what and who can do what. This will assist in harmonizing and standardization of training in these countries as well as will help in establishing infrastructure for mutual recognition of training for Radiation Protection Experts. This in turn will guarantee fast movement of skilled workers. The process of harmonization of radiation protection training has already started in Europe and by expanding this process to Australia, Canada and New Zealand will eventually help in developing a compatible system of radiation protection training and expertise across these countries which in turn will help in establishing international standardization of radiation protection training. Moreover, it will help tackle decline in radiation protection expertise and will ensure availability of excellent radiation protection knowledge and skills which can meet demands of the future. This is unique research in the sense that it has not been carried out in Canada, Australia and New Zealand