Industry & Institutions Perspectives: Stakeholders in the Swiss Health System

The role of this course within the Master in Communication Management and Health program is to bridge theoretical and practical knowledge, facilitating the transition from university studies to future careers. This is achieved by presenting specific challenges faced by healthcare professionals and providing opportunities to meet these professionals in person.

Given the broad scope of the healthcare sector, professionals will represent diverse entities, including companies, NGOs, public institutions, and hospitals. Students will learn to consider the interests and viewpoints of various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Before meeting the healthcare professionals, student groups will work on specific challenges and propose solutions. Professionals will then share how they addressed these challenges, followed by an in-depth discussion of the case.

• Understand the basics of healthcare systems
• Analyze the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in healthcare
• Network with professionals from different areas of the healthcare sector
• Gain an overview of the challenges faced by communication experts in the healthcare sector
• Prepare students to engage with the professional market

In presenza

The three-credit course will be conducted over the spring semester. The first meeting will introduce the semester's work and the teaching method used, which will be case studies for discussions with professionals. Subsequent lectures will cover the structure of the Swiss health system, stakeholder identification, mapping, and involvement, as well as methodologies for a participatory decision-making process. During later meetings, students will work on real case studies provided by the four professionals they will meet. In class, students will present their group work (case study) and then professionals will present their organization’s work and solutions to the case from their perspective.

At the end of the semester, students will receive a numerical grade, which will be determined by the following:

• Case study papers and assignments (60% of total grade)
• Case study presentation (20% of total grade)
• Final essay (20% of total grade)