[Electives during preclinical medical curriculum: the Geneva experience ]

Electives have come of age in Medical Schools throughout Europe since the Bologna Guidelines were issued. At the Faculty of Medicine of Geneva its importance was recognized early to satisfy the students' curiosity, enlarge their visions, or deepen their knowledge in certain aspects of their curriculum. It was therefore decided to develop a great number of different electives ranging from basic biomedical research to emblematic clinical syndromes and humanitarian medicine for 2nd and 3rd year Bachelor students. The Electives taken have to be validated through specific examinations corresponding to 10% of the yearly ECTS credits. The experience has so far been a success, with high satisfaction as well of the student as of the teacher body. A major challenge for the future will be opening further these Electives to other Faculties and other professions.