Across our services, teaching and research, we have continued to strengthen our role as a leading centre for medical education, for our partners and target groups:
a) Students and faculty, who are the immediate target group for our activities
b) Our many partners, whose needs we are dedicated to fulfil, with an important emphasis on collaboration locally, nationally and internationally
c) The patients, who are the overarching purpose of our activities
Overall, the annual report documents a range of projects and developments across educational practice, research, and infrastructure. These activities reflect ongoing efforts to adapt teaching, assessment, and research practices to changing technological and institutional contexts.
A defining feature of this year has been our emphasis on collaboration—locally and internationally. Through initiatives such as the IMEX exchange, we welcomed global partners and experts in medical education and engaged in meaningful dialogue on the future of medical education. These exchanges enrich our perspectives and reinforce our shared responsibility to address the evolving needs of healthcare systems worldwide.
In teaching, the IML contributes to curriculum development and the implementation of effective learning formats. For example, a coaching programme for medical students in their 4th and 5th year was introduced, consisting of two individual sessions of 45 minutes each during clinical placements. Also, a new interprofessional ward-round training format was implemented to address previously identified gaps in interprofessional clinical education.
At the same time, we have continued to invest in innovation. The evolution of digital learning environments and the integration of new technologies into curricula highlight our commitment to modern, flexible, and learner-centred education. We strive to create learning experiences that are both effective and transformative. Digital learning and assessment remain a central area of activity. Existing web-based learning platforms—such as MedSurf, DocCom and FRONTLINERS —continued to be updated and expanded. Our Examic assessment suite (Measured, Valuatic, EOSCE) were further developed to support written, oral, and clinical exams with digital formats.
Research activities cover a broad spectrum of medical education topics. The publication list for 2025 reflects work in areas such as simulation-based training, feedback and assessment, self-directed learning, and the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical and educational contexts. Two large SNF projects were successfully finalised, including two PhD-projects (DLT «Digital Learning and Teaching» and BPSM «Biopsychosocial Model of Stress and Challenge»). A new research project, starting in 2025, on how to apply AI in medical education research is an important step in this context: LLM4Humans – Empowering qualitative research through local large language models is funded by the University of Bern and includes two dedicated PhD-projects in cooperation with the DCR.
Our progress is rooted in people: the dedication of our staff, the curiosity of our students, the well-being of our patients and the strength of our partnerships form the foundation of everything we achieve. Together, we are building an environment where reflection, learning, and growth are not only encouraged but embedded in everyday practice.
We hope you enjoy our report.
Sissel Guttormsen, June 2026
