Analysis of IFMBE-CED 2017 Worldwide Clinical Engineering Survey

Background and Objective: Clinical Engineering professionals are fundamental to the deployment of healthcare technology and to the management of its life cycle. As the role of technology grows in healthcare, so does the need for trained clinical engineering practitioners and the dynamic nature of the domain requires them to maintain their skills. However, the skills and activities required from clinical engineers around the world are not homogeneous, so the Clinical Engineering Division at IFMBE promoted a global survey to identify a common body of knowledge and body of practices for the profession. Material and Methods: This survey, based on a previous one conducted by the ACCE, was aimed at collecting data about CE practices and the importance of certain competencies for their practitioners. Results: Survey results indicate the profession still maintains certain traditional characteristics, such as the predominance of professionals with a background in electrical, electronic, or mechanical engineering and the prevalence of hospitals and clinics as employers. Some patterns in the perceived relevance of certain kinds of knowledge among different regions were also identified. Conclusion: Overall, the survey seems adequate to reveal which skills and activities clinical engineers considered the most relevant, but more responses are required before a solid Body of Knowledge and Body of Practice can be defined.