Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for the Bachelor's and Master's programs in health professions are an inherent part of the curriculum.
The Canadian reference model CanMEDS 2015 served as the basis for the development of the national learning outcomes for the health professions at the university of applied sciences level. This standard was originally developed for human medicine and subsequently adopted worldwide for health professions. Today, expertise alone is no longer enough. In particular, the increased focus on interprofessional collaboration requires awareness of other professional roles.
These learning outcomes are reflected in the seven roles that all health professionals have in common.
The seven professional roles of health professionals
In accordance with CanMEDS 2015, there are seven professional roles that health professionals have to assume. They are:
- Medical expert
- Collaborator
- Health advocate
- Professional
- Communicator
- Leader
- Scholar
Profession-specific competencies
To meet the requirements of their field of work and the needs of patients and clients Health professionals need to have a wide range of competencies. With its publication “Professionsspezifische Kompetenzen” (profession-specific competencies), the Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences has published a document that applies to all health professionals with a degree from a Swiss university of applied sciences. It defines the skills that graduates must demonstrate on completing their studies. These final competencies, or learning outcomes, are regulated for the professions of nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, midwifery, nutrition and dietetics, optometry, and medical-technical radiology at the Bachelor's level, as well as for osteopathy at the Master's level, and they are mandatory for professional qualification.
Legal framework and general, personal, and social competencies
In a condensed form, the seven roles described above and the subject-specific competencies associated with them have been adopted into Swiss law. The Swiss Healthcare Occupations Act came into force on 1 February 2020. As a result, uniform requirements for training and professional autonomy apply to seven health professions throughout Switzerland. Uniform educational requirements are necessary to ensure the quality of care. This is the goal of the Healthcare Occupations Act.
The Healthcare Occupations Act lists the overarching competencies, which are divided into general (Art. 3), personal, and social (Art. 4)competencies.
Learning Outcomes in the Swiss Healthcare Occupations Ordinance
In its ordinance, the Healthcare Occupations Act specifies the profession-specific competencies that graduates of the respective degree programs need to acquire. These competencies are an accreditation requirement for the study programs themselves.
Additional information
Studying in Switzerland
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
International Studies
Spending a semester or a clinical placement abroad is a priceless experience for any student and offers the opportunity to learn how professions are taught and practised in other countries.
Brochure International Relations
We offer a wide range of courses for international students. Learn more about our international activities in our brochure.
Studying in Switzerland
International Studies
Brochure International Relations
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
Spending a semester or a clinical placement abroad is a priceless experience for any student and offers the opportunity to learn how professions are taught and practised in other countries.
We offer a wide range of courses for international students. Learn more about our international activities in our brochure.