Clinical Engineering and health policies in Venezuela: challenges and achievements in a changing political context

Abstract

This article summarizes the evolution of clinical engineering in Venezuela and its interaction with the political environment and health policies. Method: The study consists of a comprehensive review of publications from the Health Technologies Management Unit of Simón Bolívar University throughout 1992-2023, organized into three thematic areas: Technological and Environmental; Relationship with Public Health Policies; and Influence of the Political System. Conclusions: The early history of clinical engineering in Venezuela stands out for its impact on training and technological management to ensure quality and efficiency in the Venezuelan healthcare system. In the first area, it demonstrated the potential for improvement in medical technologies, generating high expectations. The second area focuses on the relationship between technologies and health policies, emphasizing the need to align public policies and technological management. However, challenges identified include the lack of evaluation and selection of appropriate medical technologies and political influence in acquisitions. The third area addresses political influence on the quality of medical care, emphasizing the importance of considering political and technological aspects in decision-making.