Draft: IFMBE strategic plan


Preamble

Medical and biological engineering integrates physical and mathematical sciences and engineering principles for the study of biology, medicine and health systems and for the application of technology for the purpose of improving health and quality of life. It creates knowledge from the molecular to organ systems levels, develops materials, devices, systems, information approaches and technology management, assessment and evaluation for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for healthcare delivery and for patient care and rehabilitation.

Mission

The mission of the IFMBE is to unify the international Medical and Biological Engineering community in order to promote health and quality of life through advancement of research, development, application, and the management of technology.

GoalsImplementation strategies
To function as the leader in representing the international community of medical and biological engineering;
  • Organisational improvement: Produce a manual establishing policies and procedures for the organisation. Improve the IFMBE's organisational function to take maximum advantage of its human resources. Establish a mechanism to achieve consensus on Federation activities among IFMBE's constituent societies. Improve and maintain a strong financial position.
  • Global support structure: Implement a global network of societies and individuals that encompass the broad spectrum of scientific, engineering and professional interests.
  • Regional alliances: Using the global support structure, enable the formation of regional alliances to address regional issues.
  • Professional divisions: Maintain and strengthen existing divisions and initiate new divisions that address special needs of the medical and biological engineering community.
  • Representation: Promote and represent the profession at the international level.
  • Finances: Develop new sources of revenue.
To foster the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge for improved health and quality of life;
  • Research: Play a leading role in identifying future research needs in which the participation of medical biological engineering is essential.
  • Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration and cooperation and information exchange between its member societies and their constituencies.
  • Publications: Provide high-quality scientific and educational publications and up-to-date information reflecting the interests of the profession.
  • Electronic dissemination: Move toward greater reliance on electronic publication.
  • Conferences: Facilitate regional and international conferences, topical workshops and other forums for exchange of scientific, professional and policy development. Co-sponsor joint conferences.
To cultivate public, national and international recognition of the profession and awareness of its contributions;
  • Individual members: Encourage individuals to become advocates for the profession with educational institutions, industry and government.
  • National societies: Help to support national organisations, enhance their visibility and promote national understanding of the field and the profession.
  • International organisations: Develop written and electronic material that can be used to advance understanding and recognition of the field.
To promote the development of the medical and biological engineering profession;
  • Human resources: Contribute to medical and biological engineering resource development through education and training.
  • Conferences: Co-sponsor conferences and special workshops.
  • Special projects: Conduct special projects that are of interest to the international medical and biological engineering community and that have potential benefits to the populations of a significant number of countries.
To advance collaboration between national and transnational societies, industry and government organisations engaged in health care and in biomedical research and its applications;
  • Constituent societies: Establish effective communication between constituent societies.
  • Industry: Establish an Industrial Forum. Collaborate and work with industry at the national and international levels to promote "better health for all humanity".
  • Developing regions and countries: Assist in addressing special needs of developing countries and regions.
To recommend policies and guidelines in appropriate professional areas.
  • Establish code of ethics.