Guides: Biomedical Engineering Technology: Websites

Trade Journals

Canadian Healthcare Technology
A trade journal that publishes articles on technologies adopted by hospitals around the world.

Regulators/Regulations: Canada

Medical Devices Directorate
Canada's regulator of medical devices for human use. Before authorizing the sale of a medical device in Canada, the Directorate verifies that the device meets the safety, effectiveness and quality requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations. The Directorate works collaboratively with other organizations to assess medical device risks and to make regulatory decisions to manage those risks. Once the Directorate assesses them, it communicates openly and transparently about those risks to help Canadians make informed decisions.
Medical Devices Active LIcense Listing (MDALL)
Search for license number, application, and related information.

Regulators/Regulations: United States of America

Federal Register
The official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents. It is updated daily by 6 a.m. and is published Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
NIH Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Biotrechnology
The Biosafety, Biosecurity, and Emerging Biotechnology Policy Division focuses on the development and implementation of policies that promote the responsible conduct and oversight of life sciences research. Specific areas of focus include the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), dual use research of concern (DURC), and the NIH Stem Cell Registry.
US Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Guidance, Compliance, & Regulatory Information
Guidance documents describe FDA’s interpretation of policy on a regulatory issue (21 CFR 10.115(b)). These documents usually discuss more specific products or issues that relate to the design, production, labeling, promotion, manufacturing, and testing of regulated products. Guidance documents may also relate to the processing, content, and evaluation or approval of submissions as well as to inspection and enforcement policies. Guidance documents are not regulations and alternative approaches may be chosen to comply with laws and regulations.

Regulators/Regulations: International

Frank's Hospital Workshop
A private and noncommercial website which can be used for self-study. It is a collection of documents, experiences, best-practice procedures and teaching and learning materials about biomedical technology.

About Websites

As you gather sources, be critical about the information you include in your finished product. Select the most reliable sources that do the best job of answering your research question. Use the following criteria as a guide:

Website Evaluation

	General Criteria	Internet Sources
Author/Source	What are the author's credentials and affiliations? Is the publisher or journal known and reputable?	Is information about the author/creator easy to find? Is there an "About" page or contact information provided? What ending does the web address have? (For example: .org, .edu, .com)
Accuracy	Does the author provide references to support his/her statements? Is the source peer-reviewed? (Has the information been verified by other professionals or researchers in the field?)	Does the website have any disclaimers waiving responsibility for the information? Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?
Currency	How current does your information need to be? What is the publication date? Is the information outdated?	Does the article or website have a publication date? Has the website been updated recently? Do all of the links work?
Coverage	Who is the audience: the general public, professionals, or researchers? Is the information general or in-depth?	Does the website provide links to relevant outside sources?
Point of View	Is the information balanced and without bias? Does the author have a specific goal or objective? (For example: to persuade, to entertain, to inform?)	Why was the website created? Are there paying sponsors or advertisements on the website?