Comparison of the opinion of students and teachers concerning medical education programmes in Switzerland

Three medical schools in Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne and Bern) have recently started to implement a problem-based learning community-oriented reform. It seemed worthwhile to attempt to identify the opinion of those who would be concerned (teachers and students) before any changes were made. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires on the seven following themes: (i) community-oriented education; (ii) professional profile; (iii) learner-centred education; (iv) teachers' educational competence; (v) coveritis; (vi) problem-based learning; and (vii) programme evaluation. The opinions of teachers and students were also compared with the position taken by specialists in medical education. The aim of this article was to present the key finding of this complex research. Interested readers are invited to refer to the full report.