A clinical internship program in biomedical engineering. Part I: Objectives of the program

The need for, and specific objectives of, a clinical internship for biomedical engineering students are discussed in Part I. Through such an internship, participants can gain an appreciation for the role that engineers can play in quantifying and automating medical procedures. They also learn about the organizational structure of a clinical facility, the regulations, safety standards and accreditation requirements imposed on the health care industry, and the technological needs as envisioned by medical personnel. Finally, students become familiar with information flow in a medical facility, the units, codes and standards used to report diagnostic information, and current technology utilized in health care delivery, especially its limitations.