Ethical Responsibilities of the Clinical Engineer

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Abstract
Because of the growth of medical technology, Clinical Engineers have increased responsibilities in respect to this new technology and so to modern medicine itself. This results in a need to ensure that an ethical consciousness of responsibilities to patients, physicians, and institutions grows within Clinical Engineers as they move into evermore important roles within the health care system. Clinical Engineers must have clearly defined roles, as well as authority acknowledged and supported by other health care professionals. Most importantly, Clinical Engineers themeselves must recognize the seriousness of their professional responsibilities as they contribute to the maintenance of equipment, use and design instrumentation, and fulfill roles in administration, management, and research. As members of the health care team, Clinical Engineers must be prepared to face ethical issues arising from defective or inadequate equipment, hazards and incidents, scarcity of resources, conflict of interest, confidentiality, clinical research, “truth-telling,” and care of the terminally ill.

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