Curaçao recognises medical technicians as an independent healthcare profession

When Tsai had to return to the Netherlands to complete her degree, the lab continued to operate. Working on a zero-hours contract, she operated the 3D printer in Curaçao remotely from the Netherlands, 8,000 kilometres away. This meant that fracture surgery in Curaçao could continue with 3D support during the year she was completing her studies.

In the Netherlands, the profession has only been recognised as an independent profession under the BIG Act since 1 July 2020. “We were only recognised in the Netherlands six years ago. I think it’s a wonderful step that Curaçao is already following suit,” says Tsai. This recognition means that, in time, she will be able to provide care independently in Curaçao. She is currently working as a fellow and will complete her further training as a medical technology specialist this year. This recognition allows her to continue providing care in Curaçao.

The clinical technologist combines medical knowledge with technology and applies medical technology in the treatment of patients. In the 3D lab, for example, this involves planning operations using 3D printing technology or visualisation, such as in cases of broken bones. “I particularly enjoy the patient care aspect,” says Tsai. For the CMC, the recognition is also of practical importance. Tsai can now play an active role in patient care and provide technical support to the CMC’s trauma surgery department.

Curaçao automatically adopts most entries from the Dutch BIG register, but this did not yet apply to clinical technologists. The profession did not exist there. Whilst still in the Netherlands, Tsai contacted the public health inspector on Curaçao. “If you arrange this for doctors, you’ll fall behind if you don’t do the same for clinical technologists,” was the argument. For Tsai, this marked the first time a separate professional group had been established outside the Netherlands.

Tsai and Nellensteijn see this recognition as a starting point. Other departments are already showing interest; urologists in Curaçao are also keen. The lab also offers work placements for medical technology students. “If things continue like this, I’ll need another colleague like her,” says Nellensteijn, who has been working in Curaçao for fifteen years. Tsai hopes that other countries will follow Curaçao’s example.
About medical technology at the University of Twente

The Technical Medicine programme began in 2003 at the University of Twente and is one of the few of its kind worldwide. Graduates working in direct patient care hold the legally protected title of clinical technologist. The programme is part of the University of Twente’s TechMed Centre.