Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40358923›Full record

ArticleJournal of applied clinical medical physics2025

Empowering young minds through STEM education: Engaging high schoolers in Ghana through medical physics.

Afua A Yorke, Mercy T Schandorf, Abigail N M Quaye, Peniel Tenkorama Twum, Bishwambhar Sengupta, Kwadwo Nkansah-Poku, Juliana A Kplorfia, Jessica Fagestrom

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of applied clinical medical physics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Afua A YorkeUniversity of Washington Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3550-8894
Mercy T SchandorfUniversity of Ghana Medical Center, Accra, Ghana.
Abigail N M QuayeKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Oncology Directorate, Kumasi, Ghana.
Peniel Tenkorama TwumGlobal Communities, Accra, Ghana.
Bishwambhar SenguptaUniversity of Washington Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1121-1148
Kwadwo Nkansah-PokuUniversity of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana.
Juliana A KplorfiaGirls Excellence Movement, Accra, Ghana.
Jessica FagestromUniversity of Washington Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2074-5723

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo promote diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), an educational presentation and hands-on session was organised to raise awareness of STEM career opportunities among high school girls to introduce the students to the field of medical physics. MATERIALS AND

methodsThe study involved 65 first-year Senior High School girls, aged 13-16, pursuing general science in Accra, Ghana. This initiative, organised by the Girls Excellence Movement (GEM) in collaboration with a United States (US) institution, implemented the "heroes in radiation oncology" program, which included a relatable presentation and hands-on experience in simulation to treatment planning activities. The program's effectiveness was assessed through pre-and post-assessment surveys, and a thematic analysis of student feedback.

resultsParticipants' awareness of career fields showed an interest in traditional healthcare professions (92%) and engineering (73.8%), with minimal medical physics awareness (12.3%). Post-presentation survey showed a significant change in participants' perception of medical physics 87.3%. Thematic analysis revealed increased awareness, understanding, and interest, dispelled misconceptions about radiation safety, and highlighted the interdisciplinary nature and career opportunities. The presentation was successful in inspiring participants and expanding their perspectives on medical physics.

conclusionThe program raised awareness of medical physics among participants, many of whom were previously unfamiliar with the field. Participants reported a newfound understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of medical physics, its connections to biology, mathematics, and engineering.This program can easily be reproduced in community and school outreaches.

Indexed as

Career ChoiceEmpowermentEngineeringHealth PhysicsMathematicsRadiation OncologyScienceStudentsTechnologyAdolescentFemaleGhanaHumansSchoolsSurveys and Questionnaireseducationinternational outreachradiation therapystudent engagementteaching

Identifiers

PMID40358923
PMCPMC12148763

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.