ESEM Congress

ESEM summer school

Introduction

Progress in Biomedical Engineering can only be achieved when medical and engineering disciplines from different nationalities work together. Medical specialists do not have the technical knowledge to find solutions for their medical problems and challenges, technical specialists do not have the medical knowledge to integrate their technical solutions in a biological environment, tapered to the needs of the patient. A good cooperation is achievable, since both groups are used to problem solving, have a technical background and a practical attitude. However, there are also many differences between the two groups, because of a difference in working culture and methods and jargon. Often one is are not aware of those differences. This ignorance often frustrates cooperation and makes it difficult, limiting the benefits that are often accrued by working at the interface between disciplines.

So students has to be taugt how to work together efficiently. However, most students following a conventional BME-programme are not trained to work in a multidisciplinary manner; they only engage with each other. Also, although many universities strive for more international orientation, students primarily interact with peers of their own nationality.

For these reasons ESEM organises summer schools in BME to train students to work in multidisciplinary and international teams.

Groups, composed of medical and engineering students from different countries will apply this knowledge directly in practice by performing an assignment, related to biomedical engineering. Secondly a systematic approach in solving problems will be learned. Thirdly medical students will be instructed in basic engineering tools (materials science, mechanics, flow dynamics), necessary to successfully work in biomedical engineering and engineering students will be instructed in tailored medical knowledge.

Following the duration of the IP, students will be able to solve problems systematically, and understand the concepts, processes and tools of the other discipline, necessary to work in biomedical engineering. They will be aware of each others’ diversity, nationality and working culture.

Aims: The aims of this summer school are to:

1.      permit students to work in multidisciplinary teams and foster cross-disciplinary skills;

2.      facilitate students to work in multinational teams and highlight the opportunities of such an approach, by capturing best practice at a European level;

3.      encourage students to solve a problem on a systematic way;

4.      teach engineering participants the appropriate medical knowledge methods that is essential in BME;

5.      teach medical students the basic engineering knowledge for BME.

The first summerschool will be held in Dublin (Ireland) from 4 – 18 July 2009

Participation

These summer schools are open for both medical and engineering students from different nationalities. However, participation is restricted to 35 students from the seven participating universities.

They should have acquired at least 120 ECTS in the respective Bachelor programmes, must be interested in a BME Master’s programme. Selection will be done based on their motivation letters that show their interest in methods of biomedical engineering and in experiencing to work in a mixed team of engineering and medicine students. Selection will also be based on a good mixture of nationalities and disciplines.

Lectures

After this course students are trained to work in international multidisciplinary groups and have the knowledge required to follow a formal course, e.g, a Master’s programme in BME, so this field will benefit from well-trained students.

First all students are taught the theory of methodical problem solution, and the theory of teamwork. Then they apply it directly in multidisciplinary, international student groups by solving an assignment, related to BME. During the group work the groups will document their proceedings in a logbook. Every group has a tutor to direct them. They meet daily.

Parallel to the group work medical students are trained in relevant basic engineering skills, and engineering students are trained in basic medical knowledge and techniques.

·    The University of Groningen will contribute by lectures on teamwork and on a systematic approach of problem solving. These lectures will be given by a professor in Medical Product Development. He will also act as tutor of the student groups. The University of Groningen will also coordinate the project, including project evaluation, perform the financial management, definite teaching and assessment methods and disseminate the results.

·    The University of Applied Sciences Regensburg will contribute by a lecture on Materials Science and specific tutorials focussing on experimental techniques. The lecture will be given by a professor in Materials Science.

·    The University of Ulster will give lectures on health and medical informatics (HMI). This will be of interest to students of engineering and medicine. The use of ICT and Internet technologies will be examined. Current topics such as the role of pervasive computing and ambient assisted living to support inclusion will be pursued. Informatics will be useful for advancing teamwork, as it will pursue an evidence based medicine approach, with the introduction of research methods. The topic will be given by a lecturer in Computing & Engineering, who is active in HMI research.

·    Trinity College Dublin will give lectures in basic engineering knowledge. Trinity College will also be in charge of the local organisation of the summerschool.

·    The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will provide lectures and practical classes on basic medical knowledge, given by a professor of Anatomy. They also will be involved in the local organisation of the summerschool.

·    The University of Ghent will give lectures in (modeling of) the arterial physiology, arterial biomechanics and (parametric) modelling tools in biomedical applications. The lectures will be given by a professor in cardiovascular mechanics and an assistant professor in biomechanics.

·    The University of Calabria will contribute by a lecture in chemistry, given by a professor in chemistry.

·    The Brno University of Technology will give a lecture in Clinical Biomechanics, given by a lecturer in Biomechanics.

·    The Czech Technical University in Prague will give lectures on Mathematics and on Artificial Lung Ventilation.