Sufficient physicians, but a misguided repartition leads to a shortage of primary care doctors and an excess of various specialists

Viewpoint
Bernheim L, Balavoine F
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20213

How to test trust in  clinical competence

Viewpoint
Seiler C
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20270

Medical students have to be educated on the basis of predefined professional competencies. These competencies are listed in a new catalogue of learning objectives for the undergraduate medical curriculum, the PROFILES document (Principal Relevant Objectives for Integrative Learning and Education in Switzerland). Introducing PROFILES in the undergraduate medical curriculum is an opportunity to revisit the concept of maximally just versus biologically authentic clinical skills tests.

Characteristics and opinions of MD-PhD students and graduates from different European countries: a study from the European MD-PhD Association

Original article
dos Santos Rocha A, Scherlinger M, Ostermann L, Mehler DMA, Nadiradze A, Schulze F, Feldmeyer L, de Koning M, Berbecar VT, Buijs R, Kijlstra JD, Jawaid A
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20205

MD-PhD programmes throughout the world provide a platform for medical trainees to commit to a physician-scientist career, qualifying with both a medical degree (MD, or equivalent) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Nationwide introduction of a new competency framework for undergraduate medical curricula: a collaborative approach

Review article: Biomedical intelligence
Sohrmann M, Berendonk C, Nendaz M, Bonvin R, Swiss Working Group for PROFILES Implementation
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20201

In 2018, Switzerland introduced a completely revised version of its national out­comes reference framework for the undergraduate medical curriculum. This paper describes the process put in place at a national level for its implementation.

What makes internal medicine attractive for the millennial generation? A survey of residents in internal medicine in Switzerland

Original article
Cribari M, Holzer BM, Battegay E, Minder CE, Zimmerli LU
Swiss Med Wkly. 2018;148:w14696

A new generation of physicians, millennials (also known as Generation Y), are entering residency programmes in internal medicine, and these young men and women learn and work in ways that are different from those of past generations.

Video analysis for the evaluation of vaginal births

Viewpoint
Hamza A
Swiss Med Wkly. 2018;148:w14658

Video analysis for the evaluation of vaginal births: a comment

Viewpoint
Pecks U, Alkatout I
Swiss Med Wkly. 2018;148:w14654

The great strength of video technology lies in providing information about medical knowledge and practice. For the benefit of the patient, new technical achievements should be implemented in concepts of continuing medical education.

Video analysis for the evaluation of vaginal births: a prospective observational study

Original article
Kimmich N, Zimmermann R, Kreft M
Swiss Med Wkly. 2018;148:w14634

The aim of video documentation during labour is to provide an observational tool for obstetric care by midwives and obstetricians, with the opportunity for evaluation and education afterwards.

Beliefs, endorsement and application of homeopathy disclosed: a survey among ambulatory care physicians

Original article
Markun S, Maeder M, Rosemann T, Djalali S
Swiss Med Wkly. 2017;147:w14505

Little is currently known about the beliefs and intentions of physicians who prescribe homeopathy. Prescribing it solely with the intention of achieving placebo effects and without informing the patient is prohibited by ethical authorities.

Osteoporosis drug treatment: duration and management after discontinuation. A position statement from the SVGO/ASCO

Review article: Medical guidelines
Meier C, Uebelhart B, Aubry-Rozier B, Birkhäuser M, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Frey D, Kressig RW, Lamy O, Lippuner K, Stute P, Suhm N, Ferrari S
Swiss Med Wkly. 2017;147:w14484

On the basis of available data on the efficacy and safety of antiresorptive drugs, the authors propose an approach to aid decisions about the management of patients with osteoporosis on long-term therapy.