FOCUS

SMSC ZÜRICH 2024

KILLERS IN MEDICINE

SWISS

MEDICAL STUDENTS'

impressum

Content

Head of journal

Bansi Butani | Vice President for Communication 2023-2024 (VPC)

Publisher

Swiss Medical Students’ Association

swimsa

www.swimsa.ch

contacts

General | contact@swimsa.ch

Publications | vpc@swimsa.ch

cover photo

Zürich Church Towers by Bruno Coelho

© Portions of the NJSMS may be reproduced for non-political and non-profit purposes mentioning the source provided. Notice swimsa cannot accept any liability. The opinions expressed in this journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of swimsa. Some of the photos and graphics used in articles are property of the authors. We have taken every consideration not to violate their rights.

What is swimsa?

swimsa Executive Board

swimsa Internals

Letter from the VPC

Focus | Killers in Medicine

Making an Impact

International | NORPA Weekend

JSEMS | Student’s Day

SAEZ and BMS

FMH

YSSA | Students empowering ​Students

Medstache, Lausanne | Let’s talk ​about Men’s Health

FAWE, METIS

vsao/asmac Webinar

Exchanges | Czech Republic

Exchanges | Taiwan

CoPHR

How to get involved

swimsa Positions

Where to turn to?

Meet swimsa’s associate members

agenda

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what is swimsa?

The Swiss Medical Students’ Association (swimsa) commits itself to creating a sustainable, healthy society and motivates medical students through innovative engagement to become better doctors.

swimsa is the voice of over 10,000 medical students by the membership of eleven medical students’ associations, represented on a national level via seats in health organizations such as the FMH and the BAG/ OFSP, as well as on an international level as part of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA).

With currently 21 associated members, swimsa helps to shape public health – by teaching sex education in highschools, destigmatizing mental health or working in developing countries. Additionally, swimsa enables students to complete international exchanges in clinical (SCOPE) as well as in research (SCORE) fields.

With the Commission on Medical Education, swimsa plays an active role in shaping medical education in Switzerland and is aspiring to be the link between education and work, students and professionals, across all fields of health care.

Twice a year, swimsa organizes the Swiss Medical Students’ Convention (SMSC), which brings together over 400 Swiss medical students from all universities and allows them to network and bond over interesting subjects.

a big thank you to our partners and sponsors

executive board

national officers

Nadia Chaib

national public health officer

The NPO represents swimsa, its projects and commitments in the area of Public Health on a national and international level.

supervising council

The SVC oversees the work of the executive board and makes sure the bylaws are being adhered to.

Pascale Meyer

Luca Siragusa

Sven Stalder

liaison officers

Chloé Rosenfeld

LO-FMH

The FMH is the association of swiss doctors, which gathers representatives of cantons and all medical specialties. The LO-FMH attends the “Ärztekammer”/”Chambre médicale” twice a year and represents swimsa’s views.

swimsa internals

Giulia Cavaliere

Website coordinator

The website coordinator is responsible for the ​swimsa website (www.swimsa.ch) and keeping ​it up-to-date with the latest information about ​upcoming events and is the to-go spot for any ​information you may require about the ​activities of swimsa.

Marc Reynaud de la Jara

advocacy board coordinator

Advocacy is a very important part of swimsa, so they coordinate and manage Advocacy Board meetings, in order to advocate for swiss medical students

letter from the vpc

Dear swimsa family,

Can you believe it’s been 8 months already? Time really does fly when you're ​having fun (and working hard!). As we pack up the winter sweaters and head into ​the regrowth of nature in spring, it's the perfect moment to pause and take stock ​of how far we've come together.

From the moment we kicked off this term, the energy and dedication from each ​person has been nothing short of incredible. Whether one is a seasoned swimsa ​veteran or a fresh face, each person’s passion has been the driving force behind ​everything we've achieved so far.

We've tackled challenges head-on, learned valuable lessons, and grown in ways ​we never imagined. But hey, that's what makes this journey so exciting, right? ​Every hurdle is just another chance for us to flex our collective muscles and come ​out stronger on the other side.

Looking forward, I couldn't be more pumped about what's in store for us. We've ​got some seriously cool ideas brewing, and I can't wait to see them come to life ​with your help. Whether it's cooking up new projects, honing our skills, or simply ​hanging out and sharing ideas, there's no shortage of awesome stuff on the ​horizon.

So, let's keep the momentum going, shall we? Stay connected, stay engaged, and ​most importantly, keep being your awesome selves. Drop us a line on social media ​or shoot us a message anytime – we're always here to chat.

Thank you to all for being the ​pioneers of change. Together, there's ​no limit to what we can achieve.

Here's to crushing it the rest of this ​term and beyond!

In the name of swimsa 23/24,

Bansi Butani [VPC]

‘Delving into the darker side of ​medical science, this year's theme, ​"Killers in Medicine," aims to uncover ​underestimated and often overlooked ​causes of death. Our exploration ​touches on broader aspects, including ​the unknown realms of physiology, the ​molecular mechanisms of aging, the ​impact of psychiatric diseases on ​mortality, and the intriguing ​intersections of medicine with ​forensics and law in cases involving ​human harm and murder. Our venture ​aims to shed light on the multifaceted ​challenges and complexities of ​mortality in the field of medicine.

The organizing committee, composed ​of dedicated students, has worked ​tirelessly to make this event ​unforgettable. Their motivation is to ​inspire the new generation of ​physicians by giving them a unique ​opportunity for personal exchange, ​education, and networking. The SMSC ​Zurich 2024 aims to broaden horizons ​and show that studying medicine is ​more than just theory and exams.

Olivier Devuyst, M.D., Ph.D is a Full Professor of Medicine ​at the University of Zurich and holds a joint appointment in ​Medicine and Nephrology at UCLouvain Medical School, Saint-​Luc Academic Hospital in Brussels and ETH Zurich. He co-​chairs the University's rare diseases program, focusing on ​inherited kidney diseases.

Dr. Devuyst's research involves a multi-level approach, ​combining disease models, deep phenotyping, and molecular ​genetics to understand mechanisms and develop therapeutic ​options. Notably, he demonstrated the crucial role of water ​channels (aquaporins) in peritoneal dialysis and contributed ​preclinical strategies to enhance dialysis efficiency.

He has served in leadership roles, coordinated EU-funded ​networks, and founded the Working Group on Inherited ​Kidney Disorders. Dr. Devuyst is a Fellow of the Royal ​Academy of Medicine, a laureate of international prizes, and ​an Associate Editor for leading journals in nephrology and ​rare diseases.

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Olbrich is the Chief of the Centre for ​Depression, Anxiety Disorders, and Psychotherapy at the ​University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich since 2021. He holds a ​doctoral and postdoctoral degree from the University of ​Leipzig, Germany, and completed his rehabilitation at the ​University of Zurich in 2017, becoming Deputy Chief of the ​Center for Social Psychiatry.

His expertise lies in electrophysiological research and ​predictive biomarkers for psychiatric disorders, particularly in ​the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns and cutting-​edge technologies like Deep Learning approaches.

He aims to demonstrate EEG's reliability as a diagnostic ​marker and its potential in developing more effective ​psychiatric disease treatments. Prof. Dr. Olbrich has ​numerous publications on EEG markers' predictive power and ​a keen interest in translating suicide prevention research into ​clinical applications. His ongoing work focuses on contributing ​to improved and innovative psychiatric disease treatment ​therapies.

Dr. Collin Yvès Ewald is a Swiss scientist and molecular ​biologist currently serving as a lecturer at ETH Zurich. He is ​an associate director of the diseases of aging and ​regenerative medicine (DARe) group at NIBR, Novartis. The ​DARe group is focused on elucidating and targeting the ​molecular mechanisms underlying diseases of aging in ​developing potential regenerative pharmacological ​interventions that restore tissue integrity and function.

Previously, he had led the Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix ​Regeneration, focusing his research on the molecular ​mechanisms of healthy aging, with an emphasis on the ​remodeling of the extracellular matrix during aging and ​longevity interventions.

He completed his bachelor's in molecular biology at the ​University of Basel and pursued his Ph.D. in Neuroscience and ​Molecular Biology at the City University of New York, where ​he discovered a genetic link between Insulin/IGF-1 signaling ​and Alzheimer's disease. His postdoctoral work at Harvard ​Medical School highlighted the role of Insulin/IGF-1 signaling ​in promoting collagen homeostasis during longevity.

Prof. Dr. med. Stephan Bolliger is a specialist in forensic ​medicine, serving as the Head of the Division of Forensic ​Pathology at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of ​Zurich. He established and leads the Forensic Biomechanics ​research group.

His 2015 habilitation focuses on biomechanical aspects in ​forensic medicine. Additionally, he is a lecturer at the Swiss ​Police Institute. In 2009, he humorously won the Ig-Nobel ​Prize in the "Peace" category for his research on the impact ​force of full and empty beer bottles.

making an impact

Bansi Butani

This term, our Advocacy Board held a ​survey which involved the opinion of ​2,300+ medical students all over the ​country and was co-authored by ​Valeria Scheiwiller (P), Clara ​Ehrenzeller (VPE), Rahel Laager, Lara ​Serban (VPA), Marc Reynaud de la ​Jara (AB Coordinator), and Luc Lutz ​(LO-PH). This was then translated to a ​survey report and a policy paper, ​which was accepted by the Delegates' ​Assembly in November 2023!

Based off of this survey, NZZ ​published an article in collaboration ​with our President regarding the ​perspective of students on the ​ongoing discussion of improving the ​work-life balance of medical ​professionals.

This groundbreaking news was then

picked up by multiple news outlets ​including but not limited to ​Tagesanzeiger, SRF, and 20 Minuten, ​as well as interviews with our ​President, Valeria Scheiwiller, on SRF ​10 vor 10, as well as with our AB ​Coordinator, Marc Reynaud de la Jara, ​on RTS Forum.

This was possible largely due to the ​active participation of medical ​students all over Switzerland boldly ​voicing their opinions - loud and clear. ​Through our powerful voices, which ​have been united for change, we are ​the catalysts for a brighter future in ​healthcare for us all! We can assure ​you that this is simply the beginning of ​a very exciting journey ahead and ​swimsa would like to thank everybody ​for their support and for filling out the ​survey!

Valeria Scheiwiller for SRF 10vor10

Marc Reynaud de la Jara for RTS Forum

norpa ​weekend

Julia Zink, NORP

The NORPA Weekend co-hosted ​by the SCORA (Standing ​Committee on Sexual and ​Reproductive Health and ​Rights including HIV and AIDS) ​and SCORP (Standing ​Committee on Human Rights ​and Peace) was a 3-day long ​gathering for all NORAs, NORPs ​and other enthusiasts held in ​Bern, Switzerland.

A Remarkable Weekend: swimsa ​hosted an international IFMSA ​event!

For the first time in years, swisma has ​taken the helm as a host for an IFMSA ​event—the NORPA Weekend. This ​extraordinary gathering was a sub-​regional training, welcoming ​participants from across Europe, who ​are interested in advancing human ​rights, peace, and sexual and ​reproductive health.

Months of planning by the organizing ​committee, composed of all seven ​swimsa members, organised the ​weekend in a village near Walkringen ​(BE) from the 16th to the 18th of ​February. Our chalet had a ​breathtaking mountain view, and set ​the stage for sessions and vibrant ​discussions with around 50 ​participants.

The journey began on Friday when ​participants were warmly greeted at ​the Bern train station. An early arrival ​provided the opportunity for a private ​tour at the Bundeshaus, setting the ​tone for an engaging weekend. After ​heading to the accommodation and ​after the opening ceremony, the ​evening had a relaxed atmosphere

with a scavenger hunt, tote bag ​designing and a quiz about ​Switzerland where the participants ​got to know each other.

Saturday morning kicked off with a ​delightful breakfast of ​bierchermüesli and coffee, paving ​the way for insightful sessions. ​SCORA delved into topics such as ​abortion, inclusive healthcare, ​obstetric violence, HIV PrEP, and ​Chemsex. Simultaneously, SCORP ​tackled crucial themes, starting ​with the right to health, followed ​by discussions on ableism in the ​healthcare system, crisis ​management, humanitarian action, ​and the impact of social media on ​society.

A joint SCORA-SCORP session on ​gender-based violence fostered ​interactive group work and thought-​provoking discussions.

To add a touch of Swiss exploration, ​participants ventured to Bern in the ​evening for a standing dinner and an ​amazing bachata class where ​everyone could show off their dancing ​skills.

Sunday morning- after coffee, the ​sessions covered AI, access to self-​care, mental health, and BDSM in ​medicine.

The weekend ended with a joint ​session about refugees' access to ​healthcare, broadening persp-ectives ​and sparking insightful discussions.

After lunch, a closing ceremony ​was held before going to Bern's ​main train station where the ​weekend was brought to a close in ​a cafe.

The NORPA weekend was an ​amazing experience. New ​friendships were made, and ​international medical students ​with a shared passion for human ​and reproductive rights got to ​know each other. The enriching ​sessions sparked discussions that ​widened our horizons. For swimsa, ​the weekend strengthened our ​connection with IFMSA.

student’s day 2023

Explore the highlights of last year’s ​JSEMS Student's Day in Interlaken, a ​snapshot of the enriching experiences ​and camaraderie that define this ​unique event.

A great start into the day

On 25th October 2023 medicine ​students from all over Switzerland ​met with the JSEMS team in ​Interlaken, in the canton of Bern. The ​congress took place in the ‘Kursaal ​Interlaken’ a beautiful location in the ​heart of Interlaken, itself, a city not to ​miss.

The congress started off with an ​introduction by the JSEMS president, ​Anne Cornevin. She was followed by ​PD Dr. med. Nina Kimmich who ​explained to us, how pregnancy ​influences women’s performance in ​sports. She highlighted the ​physiological adaptations and made ​recommendations for women ​participating in amateur, or ​professional sports. A great topic that ​the audience was clearly intrigued by.

At 10 o’clock we had a small coffee ​break which provided a great ​opportunity to connect with others.

Sandrine Siedler (ETH Zurich)

Sara Walder (UZH)

The next presentation was held by Dr. ​med. Paolo Colombani. He talked ​about sustainable nutrition and the ​importance of plant proteins. This ​topic sparked intense discussions. To ​loosen up, the presentation was ​followed by an active break, ​consisting of a small dance ​choreography. Everyone participated ​and we had a lot of fun.

Prof. Dr. med. Christian Schmied held ​the next presentation about sports ​cardiology, laying out some of the ​emerging evidence on there being a ​healthy upper limit in exercise. In the ​short break that followed, he was ​overwhelmed with questions that he ​was happy to answer.

The last presentation before lunch was ​held by Dr. med. Nathalie Wenger who ​talked about ‘Fatigue in the adolescent ​athlete’. Her many case studies really ​captivated the crowd.

At 1pm delicious sandwiches were ​served for lunch. Once again, there was ​time to chat and socialize with both ​medical students or the lecturers. What ​a great opportunity!

An interesting afternoon

In the afternoon we had the chance to ​participate in different workshops. ​Each student could attend two out of ​four workshops. All workshops had ​different topics so that everyone’s ​interest could be satisfied.

In one workshop, Mr. Romain Frosio ​and Mrs. Jasmin Steiner showed us ​how taping could be used as a ​rehabilitation tool in physiotherapy, ​and we could directly try it out.

Another workshop was about ‘The ​Psychology of Sports Performance’ ​which was held by Mr. Ray Popoola. ​He showed us how important ​psychology is even in amateur ​athletes by including examples of the ​crowd.

The third workshop was named ‘The ​happy doctor’. Dr. med. Corina Bello ​talked about how to succeed in the ​medical career while still looking after ​ourselves.

In the last workshop we learned how ​to examine the spine and how to ​perform an initial examination after a ​traumatic brain injury. This interesting ​workshop was held by Dr. med. Stefan ​Fröhlich.

Overall, the workshops were a great ​success, and they were an interesting ​change after the presentations in the ​morning.

Movement, dinner and drinks in ​the evening

As the sun dipped behind the Swiss ​Alps, the day in Interlaken took ​different turns for students. Some ​headed to the sports hall for more ​activities, while others began their ​journeys back to their hometowns. In ​Interlaken, though, the spirit of ​competition soared during an ​exhilarating badminton tournament. ​The winning team basked in the glory ​of victory, claiming a well-deserved ​prize, adding an extra layer of ​excitement to the evening.

Following the athletic pursuits, we ​gathered at the Jugendherberge of ​Interlaken for a delightful dinner. For ​some, this turned out to be the ​highlight of the day, as laughter ​echoed through the cozy venue,

and the lively atmosphere fostered ​engaging conversations with like-​minded students from various corners ​of Switzerland.

The presence of young doctors added ​an enriching dimension to the ​evening, providing us with a unique ​opportunity to seek valuable advice ​and insights. The blend of ​camaraderie, delicious food, and ​shared experiences made this evening ​an unforgettable conclusion to a day ​brimming with insights gained from ​lectures and workshops on sports ​medicine, interspersed with moments ​of movement, friendly competition, ​and meaningful connections. Safe to ​say, we eagerly look forward to the ​next installation of the JSEMS ​Student’s Day, on the 14th of ​November in Bern, and are happy to ​welcome interested students to ​attend.

Stay up to date via our Instagram: @_jsems or via www.sems.ch/junior-sems

We are always happy to interact with interested students, just write us an email

Student’s Day: 14.Nov 2024, Wankdorf Bern

Mit der Kostenbremse droht ​Rationierung

Yvonne Gilli, Präsidentin FMH

Am 9. Juni 2024 wird die Schweiz eine ​wichtige Entscheidung über die ​Zukunft unserer Patientenversorgung ​treffen, die den Arztberuf nachhaltig ​prägen könnte. Neben der Prämien-​Entlastungs-Initiative der SP kommt ​auch die Kostenbremse-Initiative der ​Mitte-Partei zur Abstimmung. Obwohl ​die zwei Initiativen recht ähnlich ​klingen und manchmal unter dem ​Begriff «Prämien-Initiativen» zusa-​mmengefasst werden, unterscheiden ​sie sich ganz erheblich.

Die Prämien-Entlastungs-Initiative der ​SP richtet sich auf die Finanzierung der ​Gesundheitsversorgung. Sie fordert, ​dass niemand mehr als 10% seines ​verfügbaren Einkommens für die ​Krankenkassenprämien ausgeben soll ​und macht Finanzierungsvorgaben für ​Bund und Kantone. Zu dieser Initiative ​positioniert sich die FMH nicht. Wir ​stehen zwar klar für eine soziale ​Finanzierung des Gesundheitswesens ​ein, aber wie diese genau gestaltet ​wird, betrifft die Patientenversorgung ​nicht und wird unter Ärztinnen und ​Ärzten sicher auch unterschiedlich ​beurteilt.

Die Kostenbremse-Initiative der Mitte-​Partei ist hingegen gefährlich, weil sie ​einen Kostendeckel für die ​Gesundheitsversorgung plant. Die ​Initiative nennt keinen einzigen Weg, ​wie sie Kosten dämpfen möchte – aber ​ein festes Ziel: Die Grund-​versicherungskosten sollen zukünftig ​maximal 20% mehr als die ​Nominallöhne steigen dürfen. Damit ​hinge nicht mehr von den ​Bedürfnissen der Patienten sondern ​von der Wirtschaftsentwicklung ab, ​was die Grundversicherung bezahlt. ​Der Bundesrat warnte vor dieser star-​ren Vorgabe, weil sie zu Rationierung ​führen kann – und auch alle Parteien ​ausser der Mitte sprachen sich ​dagegen aus.

Wo die Grundversicherung nicht alle ​notwendigen Leistungen bezahlt, ​entstehen Wartelisten und Zwei-​klassenmedizin. Und wem die Aufgabe ​zur Rationierung zufallen wird, ist auch ​klar. Es wären die Ärztinnen und Ärzte, ​die Patientinnen und Patienten auf die ​Wartelisten setzen müssten. Dagegen ​wehren wir uns mit vielen Partnern im ​Gesundheitswesen.

Unter https://nein-zur-kostenbremse.ch/ können Sie sich ​informieren und uns unterstützen.

Le risque de rationnement du ​frein aux coûts

Yvonne Gilli, présidente de la FMH

A l’inverse, l’initiative pour un frein aux ​coûts du parti du Centre est ​dangereuse, car elle prévoit de ​plafonner les coûts des soins de santé. ​Elle ne mentionne à aucun moment ​comment réduire les coûts - mais pose ​un objectif fixe : à l’avenir, les coûts de ​l’assurance obligatoire ne devront pas ​augmenter de plus de 20 % par rapport ​aux salaires nominaux. Ce ne seraient ​donc plus les besoins des patientes et ​patients mais l’évolution économique ​qui déterminerait ce que l’assurance ​obligatoire rembourserait. Le Conseil ​fédéral a mis en garde contre la rigidité ​de ce projet, qui risque de conduire à ​un rationnement des prestations - et ​tous les partis, à l’exception du Centre, ​se sont fermement prononcés contre ​l’initiative.

Une assurance obligatoire qui ne ​rembourse pas toutes les prestations, ​c’est la porte ouverte à des listes ​d’attente et à une médecine à deux ​vitesses. On entrevoit aussi déjà à qui ​incombera la tâche de procéder au ​rationnement. Les médecins devraient ​inscrire les patientes et les patients sur ​les listes d’attente. C’est ce à quoi ​nous nous opposons avec de ​nombreux partenaires de la santé.

La décision que prendra la Suisse lors ​de la votation du 9 juin 2024 sera ​importante pour l’avenir de la prise en ​charge des patientes et des patients et ​pourrait marquer durablement la ​profession de médecin. Deux initia-​tives seront soumises au vote : l’allège-​ment des primes du PS et un frein aux ​coûts du parti du Centre. Même si ces ​deux initiatives peuvent paraître assez ​similaires et qu’elles sont parfois ​regroupées sous le terme d’« initiatives ​sur les primes », elles sont très ​différentes.

L’initiative d’allègement des primes du ​PS vise le financement des soins de ​santé. Elle demande que personne ne ​dépense plus de 10 % de son revenu ​disponible pour les primes ​d’assurance-maladie et fixe des ​objectifs de financement pour la ​Confédération et les cantons. La FMH ​n’émet pas d’avis pour cette initiative. ​Nous sommes clairement favorables à ​un financement social du système de ​santé, mais la manière dont celui-ci est ​organisé n’impacte pas les soins aux ​patients et les médecins partagent ​certainement des avis très différents.

Vous pouvez vous informer et nous soutenir sur le site ​https://frein-aux-couts-non.ch/.

students ​empowering ​students

YSSA Switzerland was founded in ​September 2023 by six Swiss ​universities including Université de ​Lausanne, Università della Svizzera ​italiana, Universität Zurich, Universität ​Basel, Université de Fribourg, and ​Université de Genève. We are a ​student association whose core ​purpose is to initiate the training of ​tomorrow's surgeons as early as ​possible in their medical education.

YSSA Ticino

to meet the strong demand for more ​practical skills courses, with the goal ​of exposing medical students to ​suturing early in their medical school ​experience.

YSSA Switzerland offers suturing ​courses open to medical students ​with or without prior suturing ​experience. Our workshops are given ​independently for students from ​various years of medical studies ​wishing to learn or hone their skills in ​wound suturing. Each workshop is led ​by suturing tutors and a training ​supervisor.

YSSA Fribourg

Indeed, whilst we have observed an ​immense interest in surgical suture ​among medical students, there ​remains a lack of opportunities for ​students to practice their suturing ​skills in a low-stress environment prior ​to starting their clinical clerkships. As ​part of our mission, we are committed

YSSA Basel

Our tutors are medical students who ​were trained by Professors and ​surgeons from different universities. ​Some universities have also recorded ​e-learning videos. Moreover, they ​benefit from regular assessments of ​their suturing skills, as well as ​additional practical courses given by ​several surgeons of each university.

YSSA Geneva

YSSA Zürich

Our training is based on the EPA 5 ​PROFILES objectives. As of this date, ​we offer students courses that cover a ​few suture techniques such as simple ​interrupted suture, Donati suture, ​simple continuous suture and ​intradermal suture. We also plan to ​organise trainings in local anaesthesia ​administration, operating room ​protocols and infection control, as ​well as introductory courses to ​laparoscopic techniques.

YSSA Lausanne

Go big or go home. That’s a good piece ​of advice. Except when talking about ​testicular cancer. Great… Now that I ​have your attention, let’s talk about ​some interesting stuff concerning our ​Gents out there.

Dear lads, stay assured, size doesn’t ​matter… Except for one thing: Your ​family jewels. You certainly don’t want ​one of them growing out of control! ​Thereby, to avoid an unfortunate ​situation, check yourself! Yes, I am ​talking to you, my lovely Hombres ​with Cojones. Listen to me carefully :

men’s health, ​let’s talk

about it!

Dinis da Costa (UNIL)

About once a month, after a warm and ​relaxing shower, take one testicle ​between your thumb and index finger, ​and examine it by rolling it all over its ​surface. Repeat the operation on your ​second gonad and compare it with its ​brother.

If your joyful chaps feel painless and ​their surface is smooth, if they don’t ​feel asymmetrical in size and your ​fingers don’t find any abnormal bump ​or growth, then you’re all good! ​Otherwise, stay calm. This doesn’t ​necessarily mean that you have ​cancer, it could be completely benign. ​But better be safe than sorry, so ​contact a doctor as soon as possible ​so you can explain your findings and ​get your testes professionally ​examined.

I hope you enjoyed our little awareness ​campaign. We are The Medstache ​Lausanne. It’s a pleasure to meet you. If ​you paid attention, you might have ​already guessed what we do. We are a ​medical students association from the ​University of Lausanne, and we raise ​awareness on men’s health by ​organizing events, conferences and ​workshops throughout the year. ​Although we chose to develop more on ​testicular cancer on this article, our ​range of work covers much more, ​including prostate cancer and men’s ​mental health (ever heard of ​Movember?).

Testicular cancer predominantly ​touches the younger male population, ​between the ages of 15 and 40. This is ​why we, young students, choose to ​focus on this aspect of men’s health ​the most. The “good” thing about ​testicular cancer is that you can check ​yourself easily in the comfort of your ​own shower, and if caught early, this ​type of cancer has a high recovery rate.

Until now, we have managed to reach ​some organizations and institutions ​outside of the Faculty of Medicine of ​Lausanne. But we’re looking to reach ​more people, more universities and ​therefore we need your help! If you, or ​somebody you know, are interested in ​working with us, we would be more ​than happy to get in touch with you!

That’s why we need you, fellow ​medstudents, to spread the word ​about this cancer and how to check ​for it. Testicular health remains a very ​taboo subject in our society. But ​raising awareness will help numerous ​young men seek medical advice ​earlier, and it may save their lives.

Contact us at: medstache@swimsa.ch

fawe, metis

Diane Grognuz

Access to healthcare for all. ​This is the mission of M.E.T.I.S - ​Mouvement des Étudiant-e-s ​Travaillant contre les Inégalités ​d'accès à la Santé - an ​association based at the ​University of Lausanne. One of ​these projects, called FAWE ​(Food And Water for Everyone), ​was launched in 2021 in ​partnership with the Africa ​Smile association based in ​Lomé, Togo. The main aim of ​this project is to provide ​assistance to certain Togolese ​villages to facilitate their access ​to healthcare.

In 2023, through the support of ​swimsa, the project was able to ​finance a borehole and a mill in Yoto ​Kopé, a small village north of Lomé. ​This borehole provides access to ​drinking water for over 6,000 ​inhabitants.

On the other hand, the mill produces ​corn and soy flour, which is packaged ​and distributed to malnourished ​children in villages further north in ​Togo, where famine is particularly ​prevalent.

The flour is also distributed to the ​elementary school founded by Africa ​Smile for out-of-school children. Till ​date, we have been able to finance the ​production of 1,200 kg of nutrient-​enriched flour.

Screening of malnourished children is ​carried out in collaboration with the ​medical team led by Dr. Tchalla, who ​has a long-standing relationship with ​Africa Smile.

After all these achievements, in 2024 ​the project wanted to make a ​concrete contribution for the ​healthcare. That's why we decided to ​support the construction of a health ​center in the village where the ​borehole was built.

During our trip to the area in the ​summer of 2023, we came to the ​edifying conclusion that many deaths ​could be avoided if the population ​had faster access to a hospital. It was ​therefore decided to finance a ​hospital that would include a ​maternity ward, a prevention ward, a ​pharmacy and vaccination ward, and ​finally an internal medicine ward.

To achieve this goal, the FAWE ​project team works throughout the ​year to raise the funds needed to ​build the health center. Now, having ​strengthened our relationship with ​Africa Smile, our commitment ​continues to make ongoing ​improvements in these crucial areas ​to promote access to healthcare for ​more people.

vsao-Webinare für ​Studierende begeistern

Seit bald einem Jahr organisiert der ​Verband Schweizerischer Assistenz- ​und Oberärztinnen und -ärzte (vsao) ​Webinare, welche sich vor allem an ​Medizinstudierende richten. Um die ​Teilnahme möglichst vielen Personen ​zu ermöglichen, sind diese kostenlos ​und werden auf Englisch ​durchgeführt. An den Webinaren ​werden Themen behandelt, die im ​Medizinstudium keinen Platz finden: ​Wie fühlt sich eigentlich ein ​Nachtdienst an? Wie findet man nach ​einer Woche Nachtschicht wieder ​zurück in einen «normalen» ​Schlafrhythmus? Wie kommuniziert ​man mit Patient:innen und ​Arbeitskolleg:innen, insbesondere ​wenn es um schwierige Themen geht ​und man sich bei einer Entscheidung ​unsicher ist?

Die ersten beiden Webinare waren ein ​voller Erfolg und gut besucht. Bei der ​ersten Ausgabe erzählten zwei ​praktizierende Assistenzärzt:innen, ​wie es ist, in der Nacht zu arbeiten und ​wie sie sich darauf vorbereitet haben. ​Bei der ersten Nachtschicht ist es ​wichtig, sich daran zu erinnern, dass ​man nicht alleine ist und man bei ​Bedarf auch bei Kolleg:innen oder ​Vorgesetzten nachfragen kann. Auch ​die Pflegenden können mit ihrer ​Erfahrung und ihrem Wissen bei ​Unsicherheiten unterstützen. Im ​zweiten Webinar ging es um ​Kommunikation, insbesondere mit ​anderen Mitarbeitenden des Spitals ​aber auch mit Patient:innen – wie ​frage ich sie, ob sie im Fall der Fälle ​reanimiert werden möchten oder ​nicht? Die Aufzeichnungen der ​Webinare sind auf der vsao-Website ​verfügbar.

Das nächste Webinar findet am ​Dienstag, 9. April statt und widmet ​sich dem Thema des Zeit- und ​Selbstmanagements. Dabei wird ​gezeigt, wie man die knappe ​Ressource «Zeit» gut nutzt, Prioritäten ​setzt und dabei auch sicherstellt, dass ​man noch Freude am Beruf hat.

Link to the seminar

Les webinaires de

l’asmac suscitent l’enthousiasme

L’Association suisse des médecins-​assistant(e)s et chef(fe)s de clinique ​(asmac) organise depuis bientôt un an ​des webinaires destinés en premier ​lieu aux étudiants en médecine. Pour ​permettre au plus grand nombre d’y ​participer, ils sont gratuits et se ​déroulent en anglais. Les webinaires ​abordent des sujets qui ne trouvent ​pas de place dans les études de ​médecine: Qu’est-ce que ça fait de ​travailler la nuit? Comment parvient-​on à retrouver un rythme du sommeil ​normal après une semaine de services ​de nuit? Comment communique-t-on ​avec les patients et les collègues, en ​particulier lorsqu’il s’agit de thèmes ​difficiles et que l’on n’est pas sûr de la ​décision à prendre?

Les deux premiers webinaires ont ​rencontré un franc succès et accueilli ​de nombreux participants. Lors de la ​première édition, deux médecins-​assistant(e)s ont parlé de leurs ​expériences du travail de nuit et de la ​manière de s’y préparer. Lors de son ​premier service de nuit, il est ​important de ne pas oublier que l’on ​n’est pas seul et que l’on peut ​demander conseil à des collègues ou à ​son supérieur ou s’adresser au ​personnel soignant qui peut, grâce à ​son expérience et à ses connaissances, ​également apporter une aide en cas de ​doute. Le deuxième webinaire a abordé ​la communication, en particulier avec ​les autres collaborateurs de l’hôpital, ​mais aussi avec les patients: comment ​leur demander s’ils souhaitent, le cas ​échéant, être réanimés ou pas? Les ​enregistrements des webinaires sont ​disponibles sur le site web de l’asmac.

Le prochain webinaire se déroulera le 9 ​avril et sera consacré au thème de la ​gestion du temps et de soi-même. Il ​montrera comment bien utiliser la ​précieuse ressource qu’est le temps et ​fixer les bonnes priorités tout en ​conservant le plaisir d’exercer son ​métier.

Link to the seminar

prague

czech republic

Jakub Novotny

My exchange took place in Prague, ​Czech Republic. I got a leftover spot ​after participating in the NGA of ​IFMSA-CZ and talking to my good ​friend Jenny who was part of the ​National Exchanges team of swimsa ​and also took part in the NGA. As the ​president and NEO-In of the Czech ​NMO became good friends of mine ​they kind of helped me with deciding ​about the department and LC I stayed ​in. I am very fond of intensive care ​and emergency care and would love ​to do it in the future and in the Czech ​Republic this is mostly handled by the ​“ARO” which is the department of ​Anaesthesiology and resuscitation. My ​preparations otherwise were very ​basic, as my parents are both from ​Prague meaning that I have some ​family there and speak the native ​language quite well.

So as per suggestion from my CP and ​other friends from the Czech Republic ​I was in the Anaesthesiology and ​Resuscitation department in the ​university hospital of the 3rd Faculty ​of Medicine - Charles University in ​Prague.

I loved every second of it. Most of the ​days I was in an OR with an ​Anaesthesiologist learning all there is ​about it and trying to intubate ​patients myself. Although one of my ​most important daily activities was to ​explain to the doctors why I could ​speak Czech. One of the days I was in ​the burn unit of the hospital which is ​the biggest out of the 3 that exist in ​the Czech Republic. Unfortunately or ​fortunately (for the patients) I did not ​see any new admissions on that day.

In Prague I commuted every day by ​bus. From door to door it took me ​about 45 min which is actually less ​than I had in other internships in ​Switzerland. My CP helped me with ​getting a ticket for the entire month in ​Prague, so I did not have to think ​about anything while getting on the ​various busses and metro.

The LC and my CP did a great job in ​helping me with various things and ​organizing social events for all the ​incomings. I knew beforehand that ​September might not have the biggest ​social program as the prime months ​for an exchange are in July and August ​but still the various activities that ​were planned were really enjoyable.

I was able to attend an IFMSA CZ ​internal weekend, where we rented a ​chalet and mostly did not do any work ​related things. Also there we ​celebrated my CPs or in other words ​the IFMSA CZ President’s birthday. ​There I tried many traditional ​beverages such as various beers and ​Slivovice. All in all it was a weekend to ​remember. On a different one I visited ​the zoo which for me is one of the best ​things you can do for a date. So for ​everyone reading this, you’re

welcome.

In Prague I stayed in a dorm from the ​Charles University which was on the ​outskirts of Prague. The ​accommodation was kept very clean ​and I received all the cooking utensils I ​ever needed from my CP.

It was a nice gesture but to be ​perfectly honest I filled my belly with

all the great bread options that are

only available in the Czech Republic.

All the other incomings were also in ​this dorm which made it easy to meet ​up and go explore Prague together in ​the afternoons or evenings.

During my stay, there were many ​discussion going on about changes in ​the healthcare system and on how ​overtime will be paid in the future. ​Every doctor I ran into during my ​internship had a lot to say about it, as ​it really changes from how it was done ​until now and this not for the better. ​Our Healthcare systems do differ to a ​certain degree but are also same in ​the regard that everyone is insured ​and has some form of health ​insurance. But I learned, that patients ​in 99% of the cases did not have to ​pay extra fees, unlike here in ​Switzerland, when the

ambulances are being called for ​almost everything.

One month was definitely not enough ​time to explore everything that Prague ​has to offer. But it gave me a good ​inside scope of how the healthcare ​system in the Czech Republic ​functions. And it helped me questions ​our system more and whether ​everything we do is sustainable for the ​next decades to come.

Unsere Angebote – Ihre Vorteile

Falls Sie bereits eine Versicherung bei einer ​der genannten Versicherungen besitzen, dann ​prüfen Sie einen Übertritt in unsere Kollektiv- ​verträge. Wir unterstützen Sie gerne dabei.

Exklusive Lösungen für mediservice vsao-asmac-Mitglieder ​031 350 44 22 – wir sind für Sie da.

info@mediservice-vsao.ch, www.mediservice-vsao.ch

Nos offres – vos avantages

Si vous avez déjà conclu une assurance ​auprès d’une des compagnies mentionnées, ​examinez un passage dans nos contrats ​collectifs. Nous vous assistons volontiers.

Solutions exclusives pour les membres mediservice vsao-asmac ​031 350 44 22 – nous sommes là pour vous. ​info@mediservice-asmac.ch, www.mediservice-asmac.ch

taichung

taiwan

My chosen department for the ​internship was the emergency ​department. This choice allowed me ​to immerse myself in a medical ​specialty I'm passionate about and ​navigate my way through the daily ​tasks without extensive patient ​communication, given my limited ​proficiency in Chinese. Upon arriving ​in Taichung, one of my contact ​persons warmly welcomed me, ​introduced me to the university ​campus, and settled me into my acco-​mmodation, a clean and comfortable ​student dormitory. The dormitory ​featured shared living spaces with an ​Austrian flatmate studying dentistry, ​fostering a diverse and enriching living ​environment.

The dedication and active involve-​ment of my contact persons in Taiwan ​left a lasting impression on me. They ​organized outings to night markets ​and even planned a weekend trip to ​Sun-Moon Lake, making my stay un-​forgettable. For future exchange ​students considering Taiwan, I stron-​gly recommend exploring the west ​coast, which boasts stunning natural ​beauty in places like Hualien and ​Taitung.

Samuel Donovan

My SCOPE Exchange in Taiwan was ​truly a life-changing experience, ​offering me unique insights into the ​Taiwanese healthcare system, culture, ​and medicine. I had the privilege of

interning at Zhong Shan Medical ​University in Taichung, the second ​largest city in Taiwan, which provided ​a remarkable opportunity to broaden ​my horizons.

Before embarking on this journey, I ​had the chance to connect with my ​Local Exchange Officers (LEO) from ​Taiwan. Their guidance helped me ​prepare for the internship, ensuring ​that I was well-equipped for my time ​in the hospital. I also took the ​initiative to bring along some Swiss ​chocolates as tokens of appreciation ​for the contact persons and doctors I ​would be working with.

Despite the language barrier, which ​proved to be my primary challenge, ​the medical team's proficiency in ​English allowed me to follow the ​proceedings and maintain an ​observational role during my ​clerkship. While I didn’t engage a lot ​directly with patients, the doctors' ​effective communication and detailed ​English notes on patient records ​enabled me to gain valuable insights.

In conclusion, my SCOPE Exchange in Taiwan ​underscored the paramount importance of ​communication in a clinical setting, emphasizing how ​language barriers can significantly im-pact patient ​care. My experience solidified the truth of the saying: ​"A SCOPE Exchange is not a month in your life but a ​lifelong experience in a month." I am immensely ​grateful for this transformative experience and the ​lasting connections I made during my time in Taiwan.

Cophr

how to get involved

Are you just beginning your academic journey, or have you been studying for a while and are eager to explore more opportunities? Look no further; we're here to provide you with the guidance you need. There are numerous ways to get engaged during your studies, and one of them is getting involved in activities such as swimsa. Below, you'll find a list of exciting possibilities. Don't hesitate to reach out to these individuals directly; they were once in your shoes and are enthusiastic about helping you find your path.

build your skills beyond medical theory with capacity building!

While 'Capacity Building' may sound sophisticated, it essentially boils down to sharing knowledge, particularly in our context, focusing on soft skills like public speaking, non-violent communication, or leadership. Swimsa hosts these events to equip you with valuable skills that extend beyond what medical school typically provides, ensuring you're better prepared for the future.

Contact the NOCB for further information.

swimsa positions

where to turn to?

meet your local student association

meet swimsa‘s associate members!

Are you a passionate medical student ready to make a difference on a global ​scale? Look no further than swimsa – your gateway to an inspiring world of ​collaboration, innovation, and impact through our associate projects!

At swimsa, we believe in the power of unity and exchange. That's why we ​offer committed medical students like you a dynamic platform to connect, ​share ideas, and drive change both nationally and internationally.

Unleash Your Potential

Locally initiated projects blossom into national and international endeavors ​through swimsa. With our support, innovative ideas can evolve into ​impactful projects that transform healthcare landscapes.

Empowerment through Education

We're not just about projects – we're about people. Dive into our range of ​training courses designed to enhance your soft skills, foster leadership, and ​ignite creativity. Connect with like-minded peers, learn from industry ​experts, and unleash your full potential.

Connect Globally

Join us on the international stage! Present your projects at the General ​Assemblies of the IFMSA and engage in enriching exchanges with students ​from around the world. Together, we can amplify our impact and shape the ​future of global healthcare.

Your Voice Matters

As a part of swimsa, your voice matters. Each project has a vote at delegates' ​meetings, ensuring that your opinions and ideas shape the direction of our ​organization. Together, we are stronger.

Meet Your Coordinator: Need guidance or support? Our Vice President for ​Internal Affairs (vpi@swimsa.ch), is here to coordinate projects and ​empower you every step of the way.

this is your local student council

these are our associate members

for all the medical students at your university. They organize social events, parties, represent you to your faculty and fight for your medical education.

which work on different public health and human rights topics. You can join any project you like or even start your own.

this is you

a medical student in Switzerland

this is your national organisation

... and this is how we change the world together

swimsa is the umbrella organization for all Swiss medical students. Its members are 11 student councils and the local projects. In the committee for education, swimsa works towards an improved education on a national level. Via the IFMSA, it enables worldwide student exchanges. Twice per year, it organizes the SMSC-Conference with students from all parts of Switzerland. Visit www.swimsa.ch for more information!

The International Federation of Medical Students’ is the umbrella organisation for all the national associations of more than 120 different countries worldwide. They gather twice per year in the General Assembly (GA), where 1000 students come together and exchange ideas. swimsa is always represented by a Swiss delegation, which you can be part of as well! Visit www.ifmsa.org for more information!