title: Rehabilitation engineering training for the future: influence of trends in academics, technology, and health reform.
abstract: A perspective is offered on rehabilitation engineering educational strategies, with a focus on the bachelor's and master's levels. Ongoing changes in engineering education are summarized, especially as related to the integration of design and computers throughout the curriculum; most positively affect rehabilitation engineering training. The challenge of identifying long-term "niches" for rehabilitation engineers within a changing rehabilitation service delivery process is addressed. Five key training components are identified and developed: core science and engineering knowledge, synthesized open-ended problem-solving skill development, hands-on design experience, rehabilitation breadth exposure, and a clinical internship. Two unique abilities are identified that help demarcate the engineer from other providers: open-ended problem-solving skills that include quantitative analysis when appropriate, and objective quantitative evaluation of human performance. Educational strategies for developing these abilities are addressed. Finally, a case is made for training "hybrid" engineers/therapists, in particular bachelor-level engineers who go directly to graduate school to become certified orthotists/prosthetists or physical/occupational therapists, pass the RESNA-sponsored assistive technology service provision exam along the way, then later in life obtain a professional engineer's license and an engineering master's degree.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Program, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Winters
mesh_terms: D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D002568:Certification; D003479:Curriculum; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D009656:North America; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000639:trends*