The progress of health care delivery in Western Europe has resulted in a significant shift in the burden of disease, with an aging population increasingly susceptible to chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease. At the same time, advances in the field of medicine have caused the medical knowledge to grow exponentially, challenging physicians in busy practices, sometimes in remote areas, to keep up with the latest updates on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.


HMI and Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG, a leading pharmaceutical health company, have collaborated to develop an ongoing series of interactive, focused continuing medical education (CME) programs for medical specialists. The programs, which are taught by Harvard and Swiss faculty, incorporate recent evidence-based research and clinical guidelines to present the current best practices. Among the programs' attributes:
  • Well received courses focused on the latest developments in cardiology, oncology, neurology, pain management, prostate cancer, and ophthalmology
  • A mix of didactic lectures, interactive case discussions, and breakout sessions
  • Evidence-based content tailored to the challenges faced by Swiss and German physicians and developed with editorial independence
  • CME accreditation from the relevant Swiss medical society
  • HMI Certificate of Attendance for participants

Physicians in practice in Switzerland have reacted with great enthusiasm to the HMI-Novartis CME courses to date, prompting the partners to embark on a long-term collaboration to develop and offer additional courses. More than 350 Swiss physicians have attended so far.