Biomedical & clinical engineering in arabic countries between concepts, reality, challenges & expectations

Biomedical engineering is relatively new science. Therefore the paper starts with clarifying related concepts and terms as well as the interdisciplinary nature of this science and its relation to other classical engineering disciplines, followed by pointing out major historical milestones and the wide spectrum of the profession of biomedical engineers. The definition of clinical engineering as subspecialty of biomedical engineering follows, the tasks of the clinical engineer are listed, and the difference between the clinical engineer and the biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is pointed out. The second part of the paper starts with giving an over glance about the beginnings of the biomedical engineering in universities of some arabic countries and their forms, followed by pointing out the problems and challenges facing the profession of biomedical/clinical engineering on more than one level. Recommendations to achieve the expectations are the conclusion.