Clinical engineering
Clinical engineers also assist manufacturers in improving the design of medical equipment and maintain state-of-the-art hospital supply chains.
For example, Stephen Hales' work in the early 18th century, which led to the invention of the ventilator and the discovery of blood pressure, involved applying engineering techniques to medicine.
[6] After a 1998 survey demonstrating no viable market for its certification program, the AAMI ceased accepting new applicants in July 1999.
For regulatory and licensure reasons, true engineering specialties must be defined in a way that distinguishes them from the technicians they work alongside.
To be eligible, a candidate must hold appropriate credentials (such as an accredited engineering or engineering-technology degree[14]), have specific and relevant experience, and pass an examination.
The certification process involves a three-hour written examination of up to 150 multiple-choice questions and a separate oral exam.
Assessments prior to registration are provided by the National School of Healthcare Science, the Association of Clinical Scientists or the AHCS.
The conference was founded in 2009 as a way of improving healthcare through sharing knowledge from experienced professionals involved in medical equipment management.
Healthcare has increasingly become technology-driven and requires trained manpower to keep pace with the growing demand for professionals in the field.
An M-Tech Clinical Engineering course was initiated by Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum and Christian Medical College, Vellore, to address the country's need for human resource development.
During the course, students of engineering are given an insight into biology, medicine, relevant electronic background, clinical practices, device development, and even management aspects.
An important aspect of this training is simultaneous, long-term, and detailed exposure to the clinical environment as well as to medical device development activity.
[20] This will help students understand how to recognize unmet clinical needs and contribute to the creation of future medical devices.
Engineers will be trained to handle and oversee the safe and effective use of technology in healthcare delivery sites as part of the program.
The minimum qualification for joining this course is a bachelor's degree in any discipline of engineering, technology, or architecture, and a valid GATE score with an interview process in that field.
