BEAI membership of IFMBE

In 2000, while attending the world congress for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, the Biomedical Engineering Association of Ireland, BEAI, achieved Membership of the International Federation of Medical and Biological Engineering, IFMBE.There is one national organisation per country that represents the IFMBE in that country. The BEAI is the sole representative for Ireland.The significance of this is quite considerable,however a number of our members have requested a brief description of the IFMBE, its' objectives, aims, history, structure and affiliations.

The IFMBE was founded in 1959

" and is primarily a federation of national and trans national organisations. These organisations represent national interests in medical and biological engineering. The objectives of the IFMBE are scientific, technological, literary,and educational. Within the field of medical,clinical and biological engineering IFMBE's aims are to encourage research and the application of knowledge, and to disseminate information and promote collaboration."

The IFMBE, in association with the International Organisation of Medical Physicists,IOMP formed the International Union of Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine IUPESM which is a Scientific Union Member of the International Councilfor Science, ICSU.

There are two main publications associated with the IFMBE. The first publication is Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing, edited by Prof. AlanMurray, the bimonthly Journal of the IFMBE IFMBE Journal. The quality and content ofthis journal is of the highest international standard. The content is quite diverse and subjects vary from Apnoea to Rehabilitation engineering. This journal is available at a significantly reduced rate to IFMBE organisations, and is subscribed to by many libraries in our colleges and universities.

The second publication is IFMBE News, a fully electronic newsletter, which contains both information on the activities of national affiliates and on forthcoming scientific meetings, as well as features on new developments within the field. The newsletter appears on the web page IFMBE News and articles can be downloaded and read. You can also download a PDF formatted electronic newsletter. IFMBE News is edited by Prof.Niilo Saranummi.

There are many different committees, divisions and working groups within the IFMBE, which administer every facet of the organisation. There are specialised divisions, for example, on Clinical Engineering, and working groups on areas such as Developing Countries. Contrary to the popular opinion that international organisations are unwieldy and bureaucratic, the IFMBE has proven to be accessible and very professional in all areas of its organisation. It is run by many dedicated people who, not surprisingly, are also luminaries in their particular field of endeavour. The BEAI are very proud of their membership of the IFMBE and urge all our members "to encourage research and the application of knowledge, and to disseminate information and promote collaboration.

Patrick Pentony, Secretary BEAI