Multidisciplinary teamwork training for progress in developing and using medical technology

Abstract

A characteristic feature of biomedical engineering is multidisciplinarity. Engineers from different branches have to work together with life sciences experts. Their working culture is different: they speak different languages, think different ways, and if they say the same, usually they have something entirely different in mind. Moreover, the world is shrinking and people experience working in a multicultural environment. However, working in a multicultural team brings problems and conflicts. There are barriers to communication. The problem is that students are generally not aware of all these differences. This ignorance often frustrates cooperation and makes it difficult, limiting the possible benefits. Considering this a serious problem, European Society of Engineering and Medicine organizes a summer school “Biomedical Engineering Teamwork” to give students an opportunity to work in multidisciplinary multicultural teams, and teach them to exchange ideas and benefit from different approaches.