Quantitative and Qualitative Assessments of the Impacts of a Summer Clinical Immersion Program for Biomedical Engineering Students.

Abstract

Purpose: Clinical immersion (CI) programs allow biomedical engineering (BME) students to experience the clinical environment and interact with users of medical technology, providing a deeper understanding of the applications of BME. In this study we describe a summer CI program and report on quantitative and qualitative analysis, to assess the impacts of this CI program for BME students.

Methods: Over six years, 75 students participated in this BME CI program. Students participated in observational clinical rotations selected to maximize exposure to operative and interventional procedures reliant on medical devices, and interacted with clinicians, staff, patients, and product/device representatives. Additionally, hands-on sessions using technology such as a robotic surgery system and surgical simulators were included to better understand device use and constraints.

Results: Student pre- and post-program self-assessment surveys showed significant increases in four program-specific learning outcomes, five ABET learning outcomes, and four BME learning outcomes. Qualitative analysis of post-program self-reflection questions led to identification of themes including professional development, real world BME applications, design, clinical experience, career impacts, and broader point of view. BME senior capstone design project ideas were developed during the program, with an average of about 1.7 CI projects per year transitioning to the senior design course. Post-graduation survey results showed that CI program alumni found the program had notable career impacts and are primarily employed in the fields of biomedical products and healthcare.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the positive impacts of a CI program on BME students, in both a six-week format and a seven-week format.