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Opinions and trends in biomaterials education: Report of a 2003 Society for Biomaterials survey
Author(s) -
Karp Jeffrey M.,
Friis Elizabeth A.,
Dee Kay C.,
Winet Howard
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.30087
Subject(s) - respondent , engineering ethics , medical education , demographics , set (abstract data type) , public relations , medicine , engineering , political science , sociology , computer science , demography , law , programming language
The Society for Biomaterials (SFB) aims to serve its members through acting as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas. To aid in the practical development of the SFB and more specifically biomaterials education, all active, associate, and student members were surveyed. In general, the survey asked questions regarding respondent demographics, experiences and activities with the SFB, and opinions about biomaterials education. Perceptions and needs of biomaterials‐related education and career‐related training practices were a specific focus of the survey. A total of 140 individuals responded to the survey for a response rate of 18%. Members from industry felt that new hires, in general, should be better trained in product development, regulatory issues for new materials and devices, and in the relevant testing required. When asked what was missing from their professional education, many respondents commented that business training in areas such as negotiations, management, and understanding the needs outside of academia was lacking. Also, many respondents seemed to have trouble identifying with what they were supposed to know and felt a “lack of set professional knowledge.” This study has raised many ideas and questions that require further discussion. The results should ultimately be useful for helping the SFB decide how best to focus future efforts in biomaterials education. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 70A: 1–9, 2004