Happy Global Clinical Engineering Week!
Every year, the Clinical Engineering Division of IFMBE announces a series of engaging activities in celebration of the 2024 Global Clinical Engineering Week, highlighting the vital role of clinical engineers in enhancing patient care and safety. We host various events throughout the week, including interactive activities on education, the impact of clinical engineers in global initiatives, and the CED Women in Clinical Engineering Book of Stories project. In addition, we are releasing the first hackathon, an Escape Room, and a social media CE awareness campaign. Join us in recognizing the dedication and expertise of clinical engineers as we work together to advance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
As the healthcare landscape evolves rapidly, clinical engineering is at a pivotal crossroads where education must adapt to meet new challenges and opportunities. The panel, “The Future of Clinical Engineering Education”, aims to explore the innovative approaches and strategies that will shape the education of clinical engineers in the coming years. With advancements in technology, the increasing complexity of healthcare systems, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, it is crucial to re-examine how we train and prepare future professionals in this vital field. We counted on professors Marie-Ange Janvier, James Wear, Ramiro Barreiro, and Francine Umutesi for this webinar.
The panel “Empowering Healthcare Worldwide: The Impact of Clinical Engineers on Global Initiatives” focused on the essential role that clinical engineers play in shaping healthcare systems worldwide. As key contributors to medical technology management, clinical engineers ensure that healthcare facilities are equipped with the latest technologies and processes to deliver safe and effective patient care. Dr Manish Kohli and Dr Jitendra Sharma were present. This panel delved into how their expertise enhances healthcare delivery and addresses critical challenges faced by health systems in diverse settings.
The presentation of “Women in Clinical Engineering” aims to shed light on women’s pivotal role in clinical engineering. This book is a comprehensive collection of stories, experiences, and insights from female professionals who have significantly contributed to healthcare technology and innovation. We Have Inspiring Stories: The book features diverse narratives from women at various stages of their careers, illustrating their unique challenges and triumphs in a traditionally male-dominated field. We have the presence of BME Manuela Appendino and Prof. Ratko Majarievic, who are significant contributors to this excellent book.
In addition, we have two more activities that aim to encourage the community to participate. The first Clinical Engineering Hackathon is an opportunity to collaborate, brainstorm, and develop cutting-edge solutions that can make a tangible impact on patient care and safety. The seasoned professionals and aspiring engineers will be able to deploy their ideas and skills in driving the future of clinical engineering. Teams will gather for a two-day challenge, showing creative solutions to enhance patient care. We are also designing an interactive platform similar to an Escape Room to prove the CE’s skills. Both activities are under development and are expected to finish by late November.
Finally, we were warming up the GCEW with a social media campaign to raise awareness about the clinical engineering profession, showcase clinical engineers’ diverse roles and contributions, and inspire the next generation of healthcare innovators.
All these activities can be reached at https://ced.ifmbe.org/2024gcew/
