DITEC, Inc. provides training and support services to managers and service professionals in diagnostic imaging which includes MRI, CT, Nuclear, X-Ray and Ultrasound. Our services include multivendor and multimodality training and support for Biomedical/Clinical Engineers, Independent Service Organizations (ISO), and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)
From Medical Dealer, The Toolbox
I have recently attended major biomedical shows in Memphis and Miami.
The conferences were promoted and advertised. Mass mailing and email were distributed. They were posted on BiomedTalk. There was considerable effort made by the organizers (in each case, the local biomedical association) to call each local biomed shop to make sure everyone had notice. The cost was kept ridiculously low. Lunches and refreshments were purchased. A large exhibit hall was rented. Many vendors travelled thousands of miles, and spent thousands of dollars in people, give-aways, travel, shipping, and displays. They paid the local society lots of money to show their products.
Multiple classrooms were set up to accommodate 100 people each. Pencils and tablets were placed on the table by each chair. The LCD projectors were rented and installed with great care to make sure that the screen size, focus, and house lighting were all optimal for a great learning experience. Demo equipment was trucked in. Presentations were developed, in many cases, especially for this class. Handouts were printed. Hour upon hour of time was dedicated by each presenter to make sure that each presentation was a meaningful experience for those who would attend.
Unfortunately for the training sessions that were so carefully organized, and instructors brought from out of state, there were only 2 to 4 people in each class!
You know the old saying about leading a horse to water, but not being able to force him to drink. Why are you horses not thirsty?
Why is it that local biomedical associations are experiencing a dire shortage of attendees? Whether a monthly meeting, or an annual conference, the attendance is so poor in most societies that it is threatening corporate support.
At the present time, there is little problem in getting corporations to become members of local associations around the country. They recognize Biomeds as important, knowledgeable people who can provide direct introductions to decision makers. They hope to increase sales by wooing the biomedical community and being a friend to the Biomed. But when companies sponsor an event (a training seminar, or attend a vendor fair) and there are as many attendees as vendors, they question their sanity. Corporations will not continue to offer local support if we do not support them back.
I have a question for every Biomed in the country: Would you like for your local association to just go away? Cease to exist?
If you think your life is hard now, and you have little recognition and stature in the healthcare community right now, just wait until the local and national associations lose corporate support and are not able to promote you and your benefit to healthcare. Are you so confident and secure in your job and with your employer that you think you don’t need to learn more? Network more? Know the Biomeds in your area? Have resources to call upon when facing a new problem? Do you know how to successfully defend an outsourcing attempt?
Do you know all there is to know about negotiating? Contracts? Alternative ways to service devices and save money? Do you know how to make sure you hire good technicians? Do you have any need to see the newest medical devices for sale?
Do you have all of the training dollars you need, or could you benefit by stretching them out? Would you like to be able to get the same training locally instead of sending people to the opposite coast for a 3 day service school?
These are not questions and issues to be learned only when you are faced by them. You need to have a viable, energetic association in place when things are going well, so that they will be ready to act when things begin to go wrong.
I have seen this happen so many times: A Biomed suddenly joins and begins attending the local meetings, and becomes active. Shortly thereafter, it becomes known that this person is actively looking for a new job. Once the new job is found, he (she) drops out of sight again, and is never heard of until the next job change or personal crisis.
I have tremendous respect for those in our profession who remain active for years upon years, who give because it is the right thing to do. Paul Kelley, Glenn Scales, Les Atles, Brian Fitts and Frank Painter are names that come to mind. Every organization has a few ‘rocks of Gibraltar’. But those who pop up like gophers, to grab a bit of knowledge, and then return to their underground burrow without giving anything back are not who I consider true Biomeds. They are opportunists. They see the rest of us who work year in and year out as idiots for doing things that do not immediately benefit us.
Think about what you would like from an association. Think about what would cause you to attend a meeting on a weeknight, or on a Saturday. Please let me know. I’m puzzled.
I am presently facilitating a bi-weekly conference call which is open to every state, local and national biomedical association in the country. We get together and talk about the industry, the problems, the successes, and the challenges. We are trying to proactively anticipate issues for Biomeds and take steps to address them before they occur. If you have anything to say, the door is open. We are listening. pklynch@gmi3.com
Regulatory & Standards Compliance
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