Introducing the Swiss Medical Education Course Compass

In response to the evolving needs of medical education training, we present a new database designed to provide a comprehensive overview of medical education and faculty development course offerings across Switzerland. This initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting the development of medical education by offering an accessible platform for educators, and educators-to-be to explore and compare educational opportunities.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Listings: The database includes detailed information on a wide array of medical education courses, complete with descriptions, metadata, and direct access to further details through course websites or course provider contact information.
• Educational Glossary: A glossary of common medical education terms (with English, French, Italian, and German aliases) is available to aid in understanding and comparing course contents.
• User-Friendly Interface: Developed with ease of navigation in mind, the platform is optimized for both desktop and mobile use and includes a tutorial for first-time users.

Unique Value

This database marks the first effort to compile such a resource in Switzerland, offering open access to information that was previously fragmented or inaccessible. It is also distinguished by its multilingual approach (French, Italian, German, English), reflecting Switzerland's linguistic diversity.

Development and Access

The creation of the database was created by the SIWF/ISFM and medical educators from different Swiss regions. It is freely accessible, embodying our commitment to open access and the dissemination of knowledge.

Timeframe of the collection of data

The database reflects data collected over the period from May 2023 through March 2024. Given the dynamic nature of our field, it is likely that some information may become outdated sooner or later. As a follow-up project with long-term perspective is in the planning, we do not update the information on compass at the moment but keep the database as a 2023/2024 snapshot. All participants of the 2023/2024 data collection will be contacted again when the next data collection is underway to ensure current and accurate information.

Goal

By facilitating easy access to information on medical education courses and competencies, this database aims to support the continuous improvement of medical education in Switzerland. It may serve as a valuable tool for those seeking to enhance their educational practices as well as those offering courses.