An open forum on: a national clinical engineering society

An open forum was held on May 16, 1989 on the topic, A New Clinical Engineering Society? Representatives of the AAMI, IEEE/EMBS, ASHE and the SBET presented descriptions of the roles and services of their societies in support of Clinical Engineers and BMETs. Independent Clinical Engineers described their concerns regarding the development of the field; a proposal was made for the establishment of a new CE society. About 50 professionals, representing a broad cross section of clinical engineering, participated in a debate that touched on educational requirements certification, ethics, independence of action, "marketing" of the roles of CEs and BMETs, and the possible need for a new CE society. A vote was taken to represent the opinion of those present. The idea of immediately forming a new society was voted down and an ad hoc Task Force on Clinical Engineering was formed under the chairmanship of Yadin David, Ph.D. The participants called upon the AAMI, IEEE/EMBS, and the ASHE to appoint representatives to the Task Force. The new Task Force could: (1) recommend the formation of a new society; (2) call for increased cooperation between existing societies and propose long-range plans; or (3) recommend the formation of a College of Clinical Engineering or an umbrella organization to bring existing societies together.