Rosa María Weisz and Emilce Noemí Preisz
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to share the results of experiences in postgraduate training, within the framework of Specialization in Clinical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Entre Ríos (FI-UNER) -Argentina-. This postgraduate course arises for interest to meet specific demands of graduates and, in turn, in response to the needs of our society, that requires better prepared professionals to face the current challenges in the field of health care. Clinical Engineering, as a
specialty of Biomedical Engineering, aims to ensure the safe, efficient and effective use of health technologies, through an adequate combination of engineering, economic, management and communication skills. Through the postgraduate program offered by the FIUNER, engineers are given concrete tools to work in healthcare institutions -of different types and levels of complexity-, and they are trained to face the challenges arising from integrating interdisciplinary work teams, and even more, to achieve optimal results in unfavorable environments, as is the case in many health institutions in developing countries, where resources are limited and health policies insufficient. This article describes the criteria adopted for the curricular design of the postgraduate course. In addition, the results obtained in the development of the two completed cohort programs are analyzed, as well as, the most important achievements training professionals from different regions of Argentina and other Latin American countries. The challenges and future perspectives are also raised, taking into account the impact that the proposal has had on the region.
Keywords – Clinical Engineering, Postgraduate Program, Education.