> [!introduction] **Introducing the Swiss Medical Education Course Compass** # Introduction In response to the evolving needs of medical education training, we present a new database designed to provide a comprehensive overview of medical education and faculty development course offerings across Switzerland. This initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting the development of medical education by offering an accessible platform for educators, and educators-to-be to explore and compare educational opportunities. ## Key Features - **Comprehensive Listings:** The database includes detailed information on a wide array of medical education courses, complete with descriptions, metadata, and direct access to further details through course websites or course provider contact information. - **Educational Glossary:** A glossary of common medical education terms (with English, French, Italian, and German aliases) is available to aid in understanding and comparing course contents. - **User-Friendly Interface:** Developed with ease of navigation in mind, the platform is optimised for both desktop and mobile use. Obsidian allows you to visualise connection between notes, as visible by the graph view on the top right or by the link collection at the bottom of each note. ## Unique Value This database marks the first effort to compile such a resource in Switzerland, offering open access to information that was previously fragmented or inaccessible. It is also distinguished by its multilingual approach (French, Italian, German, English), reflecting Switzerland's linguistic diversity. ## Development and Access The creation of the database was spearheaded by the SIWF/ISFM and aided by medical educators from different Swiss regions. It is freely accessible, embodying our commitment to open access and the dissemination of knowledge. You will find more information about the research behind it in our scientific publication: *link coming soon* ## Timeframe >[!info] Info on Timeframe of this Database >The database reflects data collected over the period from May 2023 through March 2024. Given the dynamic nature of our field, it is likely that some information may become outdated sooner or later. As a follow-up project with long-term perspective is in the planning, we do not update the information on compass at the moment but keep the database as a 2023/2024 snapshot. All participants of the 2023/2024 data collection will be contacted again when the next data collection is underway to ensure current and accurate information. ## Goal By facilitating easy access to information on medical education courses and competencies, this database aims to support the continuous improvement of medical education in Switzerland. It may serve as a valuable tool for those seeking to enhance their educational practices as well as those offering courses. # Features ## 1. **Course Database:** - The compass includes a database of medical courses available in Switzerland. - Each course is categorised according to a standard [[Course Template]] for easy navigation. ## 2. **Competency Mapping:** - The core feature of the Compass and using Obsidian as the underlying software is the mapping of specific competencies to individual courses. - This mapping allows users to identify which competences are covered in each course and vice versa. ## 3. Graph Visualisation: - The visualisation feature provides a unique graph view, making it easier to comprehend the relationships between courses and competences. - Users can grasp the interconnectedness of medical education in Switzerland through this intuitive representation. - The Graph View is a powerful feature. You can find more information about how it works here: [[Graph View - Explained]] ## 4. Course Details - For each course, essential details are provided, such as location, course providers, course costs, and the topics covered. - This information ensures that users can make well-informed decisions when selecting courses. ## 5. Keyword Definitions - To provide clarity and context, each competency listed in the database comes with a concise explanation. We refer to those as [[02 Keywords|Keywords]]. - Users can easily understand the significance and scope of each competence.