Study programmes

Module 1 focusses on the individual within their specific living environment and social relationships. Key topics include communication in the therapeutic context; understanding health and illness; the Swiss healthcare system and its stakeholders; ethical and legal principles; and dealing with the situation of the individuals in the interprofessional care team. In cooperation with the University of Bern’s Institute for Medical Education and the Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), a seminar on confidentiality is held in Bern and Basel for students from Bern University of Applied Sciences and medical students.

Digitalisation in society and healthcare has a direct impact on interprofessional collaboration and patient treatment options. New technologies are changing information and communication channels, in some cases enabling new forms of cooperation. In order to navigate the increasingly complex healthcare system, health literacy is essential, both on the part of the individual affected and the treatment team. In addition to these cross-professional issues, Module 2 focusses on specific aspects of interprofessionalism, decision-making processes and communication in interprofessional teams.

Health is shaped by complex processes and a variety of contributing factors – physical, psychological, socio-systemic, cultural and material. Effective health promotion and preventive healthcare are only attainable if a wide range of perspectives are taken into account. In Module 3, the foundations of project management are deepened in a real, interprofessional prevention and health promotion project. In mixed profession groups, you spend a few weeks developing information brochures, workshops, concrete recommendations and needs-oriented products for the various project partners. 

Providing professional care for individuals with health concerns invariably gives rise to ethical issues. In this module, you learn to discuss these issues on a theoretical level, to illustrate them in practical terms, and to address them in your specific professional practice. Additionally, you deepen your knowledge of the ethical principles of interprofessional collaboration and of clinical ethics, which are of crucial importance for the work of healthcare professionals at master’s level.

This module offers an in-depth exploration of several types of communication. On the one hand, it focusses on communication with clients and patients (therapeutic relationship). In addition, you learn the advanced technique of motivational interviewing in an interprofessional context or in critical situations with clients or patients. On the other hand, you professionalise your scientific writing skills with a view on your target audience, gain an overview of the communication practices of research institutes, and improve your presentation skills in public and health policy settings.

This module provides an overview of the foundations of leadership, project management and various leadership models. You discover organisational development approaches for initiating, implementing and subsequently evaluating change management processes.

This module teaches advanced practice and the different roles involved. In the course, you focus on the development and implementation of new roles for healthcare professionals in future or existing care models. The interprofessional context helps achieve a comprehensive understanding of these new models and roles. You also acquire knowledge about the legal foundations and issues relating to health policy and health economics in connection with advanced practice roles, and look at how such new care models can be implemented in practice.

In this module, you develop an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system and the decision-making behaviour of key players on the demand side (insured persons, patients) and the supply side (healthcare professionals, doctors) of the healthcare market. Drawing from theoretical and current empirical research findings in the field of health economics, a wide range of practice-relevant questions are analysed. The causes of rising healthcare costs are discussed, as is the impact of financial incentives on the therapeutic decision-making of healthcare professionals, and the effect of deductibles on patients’ use of medical services.

Food as medicine. The module explores the impact of food on human behaviour in the context of psychoneuroimmunology. Current scientific findings on the link between intestinal flora, pain and depression are discussed, as well as the role of prebiotics, probiotics and phytotherapy in pain management.

Digital transformation in healthcare offers numerous opportunities for health promotion, preventive healthcare, diagnostics, therapy, care and treatment – for people of all ages and for all care settings. A targeted, reflective, critical and active approach to digital transformation has the potential to maintain and enhance the quality and efficiency of the Swiss healthcare system.