gms | German Medical Science

Since January 2002, the curriculum of medical students in the five faculties of Switzerland is driven by a “catalogue of learning objectives”. This document also provides the basis for the content of the federal licensing examination (FLE). The Joint Commission of the Swiss Medical Schools has decided to revise the current version, to take into account the progress of medical sciences and the evolution of medical education.

One of the novel aspects of the so-called “Profiles” document is the introduction of EPAs (Entrustable Professional Activities). Switzerland is the first nation which aspires to introduce EPAs at an undergraduate level in the whole country. Several issues must be addressed: the implementation of the concept and of milestones along the six-year curriculum, the assessment of students at each step of their progression, the impact of EPAs on the design and content of the FLE, and the control of quality, knowing that each faculty has kept autonomy regarding its curriculum’s format and content.