Op-eds
The SMW op-eds are short news articles, interviews or op-ed pieces on current issues at the interface between medical science and ethics, politics, education or other topics.
The difficult task of decision-making in chronically ill patients: Why do intensivists dare while others do not?
This article tries to explain difficulties in making decisions about the end of life. Specific issues regarding five medical specialties are addressed. The particular ability of intensivists to make end-of-life decisions is analysed and solutions that favour starting end-of-life discussions before admission to the intensive care unit are proposed.
E-learning for a medical undergraduate curriculum: a successful Swiss programme
The fast and continuous evolution of medicine is progressively overwhelming the structure of the undergraduate curriculum in medical studies. More and more topics must be covered, but time is short. To enhance information given in lecture-based classes, we developed an e-learning programme.
Combined anti-smoking warnings: is a canton level approach for languages required?
Current tobacco control legislation in Switzerland is based on a “one-size-fits-all” approach in linguistic terms. This is inappropriate given that there are seven Cantons where German is not the primary language.
