When there is a merger of engineering and medical, to benefit both by mutual application of technicalities and concepts, is born Bio-medical Engineering. Bio-medical engineering is therefore the creation of common ground by putting together the technical knowledge of engineering into the field of medicine. Engineering is known for its problem solving quality, and this is applied to the field of biological and medical sciences with a view to improve healthcare – both the diagnosis and treatment.
Bio-medical engineering involves the practical application of engineering concepts, principles and methodologies to the biological field. It requires knowledge of thus both medicine and engineering. It deals with the making of medical equipments and their care and maintenance also.
There is immense amount of research and development (R&D;) that goes into it. Also there is frequent field visits, which is essential to know the market demands, the availability of equipments – what and in how much quantity and quality available. As it is the combination of two separate independent fields of study, a proper and extensive knowledge of both is necessary. A bio-medical engineer needs to understand the demands of the medical field, what he has to design and construct, and what is the utility of the product. Also he has to manufacture it in a way so as to maximize the positive effects of it an minimize any shortcoming, also the equipment should be of apt usage. Putting theory to practice is the essence of this profession.
Bio-medical engineering has become an important part of the medical field due to several reasons and uses of it. It helps in quality maintenance and improvement. Also a trained and expert professional contributes to safety control. There is not only creation of the essentials, but also the proper care of them, which can be done only by one who has complete and effective knowledge.
To be a bio-medical engineer, one needs formal and specialized training. It is a highly specialized field of work and study. The technical know how of such a person has to be of very high standard as the applicability of theories is the basis of this industry, and it is not a core engineering field where one is sure of the results if the formula is correctly applied. This is not the case here, as there is a lot of permutation and combination involved. One needs keen observation power. And good analytical and diagnostic ability and skill.
Bio-medical engineering is a recent development in the field of engineering. It has to grow and develop. It will be right to say that this is the budding stage. And on the other hand, the ambit of healthcare is increasing and improving with each passing day. Thus the demand for specialized professionals who can contribute to better healthcare, is felt in the market. Today, it is an independent field and not a sub-sect of any other branch of engineering. Thus it is maturing. Any institution of premium healthcare is dependent on the services of a bio-medical engineer and also by the research laboratories, medic companies, manufacturers of medical equipments, and medical institutions.
What one gets from this profession is two-fold. The satisfaction is that of an engineer as well as that of a doctor. One serves the society and humankind at large, which is the source of humanitarian satisfaction. And on the other hand like an engineer, one gets to satisfy the hunger for technical and scientific application of the theories learnt in an engineering college. Thus the combination of technicality and service together is a unique bonding, the importance of which is being increasingly felt by the healthcare industry today. And to augment this need, specialized educational institutions are being introduced both in India and abroad.
