Clinical Engineering: Improving Quality of Life

Clinical engineering, which first became a distinct profession in the sixties, has become a vital component of healthcare delivery systems by leading the way in safe and effective applications of medical technology.

Clinical engineers essentially team up with hospital technicians in different disciplines to investigate incidents in which medical devices may have contributed to injuries or deaths. Clinical engineers' perspectives can be instrumental in identifying the root causes of injuries and deaths. Their understanding of equipment design principles, equipment operations, and maintenance can explain the relation between machines and humans. Clinical engineers combine their knowledge of physical sciences with that of materials and manufacturing to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Working closely with patients, technical and medical staff, and equipment manufacturers, clinical engineers perform research and design, develop, and maintain the technology used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and the care and rehabilitation of patients. Contributions of Clinical Engineering Clinical engineers perform the following activities:

Inspect, install, and perform corrective and preventative maintenance on clinical equipment used within the healthcare system

Conduct pre-purchase evaluations of new technology and equipment

Help clinical departments with service-contract analysis, negotiations, and management

Coordinate installations of clinical equipment

Investigate device incidents

Design and develop instruments for patient monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and research

Develop and maintain computer databases of medical instrumentation and equipment records

Help hospitals purchase and use sophisticated medical instruments

Assist with adapting instrumentation for the specific needs of physicians and hospitals

Build and test new joint replacements, active implants, and equipment used for various types of non-invasive or precision surgeries

Conduct clinical trials

Handle the manufacture of aids

Conduct research on body mechanics

Handle day-to-day management of expensive hospital equipment such as scanners, imaging equipment, and physiological measuring and monitoring equipment

Participate in committees and seminars Wonders of Clinical Engineering The convergence of medical and engineering knowledge has helped develop products that closely match people's physical needs:

Assistive technology: wheelchairs, walking aids, and speech synthesizers

Biocompatible materials: artificial joints, heart valves, and hearing implants

Minimally invasive techniques: keyhole surgery and image-guided surgery systems Entry Requirements The minimum requirement to work as a clinical engineer is an accredited degree in a physical or engineering science. Clinical Engineers' Skills and Knowledge There are many career opportunities for clinical engineers in hospitals and research laboratories. Some clinical engineers also work as consultants. To perform their duties well, clinical engineers must possess the following competencies and interests:

Keen interest in the application of engineering to solve clinical problems

Strong analytical skills

Excellent communication skills for dealing with researchers, technicians, manufacturers, and patients

Sensitivity to patients' needs

Excellent technical knowledge

Strong mathematical skills

Strong teamwork skills

Ability to work within budgetary constraints

Motivation to remain updated on scientific, engineering, and medical knowledge.

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Clinical Engineering: Improving Quality of Life