In Korea, there are various medical and industrial researchers who use radiation as part of their research. But radiation can cause extensive long-term damage in case of an accident. Therefore, national-level policy and training for the response workforce have been established for a professional response. Since 2002, the KIRAMS has been providing emergency medical response education based on the five mandatory contents (including legislation, protection measures, and emergency medicine).

The training content can be divided into theoretical and practical courses. Early education included theoretical courses on cases of accidents and their effects on the human body, as well as practical courses on treatment for contaminated patients. The current education program offers group practice using a HPS and mobile learning. As for the future of national radiation emergency education, the paradigm of education will change with the fourth industrial revolution, the advancement of the IT industry, and the advent of the ‘untact’ era. Therefore, research and development on XR technology–based educational content that can overcome reality’s constraints, is being conducted. Simulation-based education courses to increase effectiveness and immersion will be implemented.

Currently, there are approximately 900 radiation emergency medical personnel, and more than 30 new and supplementary education contents are provided each year to improve their proficiency and response abilities. Approximately eight types of content using XR technology will be developed and tested (2021-2023) before being implemented in actual education programs (2024). Advancements in education reflecting special conditions, such as COVID-19, and technological advancements will continue indefinitely.

Efforts are ongoing to improve the educational content and to train excellent radiation emergency medical personnel. With the implementation of XR technologies and new education trends, the future of national Korean radiation emergency medical education is expected to advance and diversify, and further improvements in the educational content can be expected.