What is the current state of the health system in Ticino? Insights from Dean Giovanni Pedrazzini

The Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at Università della Svizzera italiana was established in 2014 to address Switzerland's shortage of trained doctors. What is the current state of the health system in Ticino? Professor Giovanni Pedrazzini, the Dean of the Faculty, discussed this topic in detail during an interview published in Corriere del Ticino.

"In recent years, the number of medical graduates in Switzerland has risen from around 900 to 1,350, a significant increase, but still insufficient compared to current and future needs," Professor Giovanni Pedrazzini commented. "Switzerland is currently facing a serious shortage of doctors, particularly family doctors (GPs). This issue may worsen in the future as the influx of medical professionals from neighbouring countries diminishes. The core problem stems from insufficient communication and coordination between universities that train doctors and hospitals that hire and specialise them." Dean Pedrazzini explained that these two worlds have been operating autonomously over the past two years without dialoguing and seeking a common strategy.

Analysing the results achieved by the Faculty he directs, Dean Pedrazzini notes that the direction taken is the right one: "The students who choose to come to Ticino achieve good results: in the first two years, all of them passed the federal examination. The quality of training is high, and when compared with other Swiss university centres, which rank among the best in the world, it confirms the excellence of the courses offered. However, some challenges remain, particularly in attracting new students." The Faculty of Biomedical Sciences aims to train 72 students annually, but this number has not yet been reached. Attracting students from the rest of Switzerland, as Prof. Pedrazzini explained, is not an easy challenge. Nevertheless, this is what the Faculty is working towards. As explained by the Dean, there are many reasons a student should choose to study in Ticino: "Our course aims to provide added value compared to other highly rated Swiss universities. To enhance our offering, we focus on a differentiated training model that emphasises small student groups and intensive clinical work. This aspect, particularly, sets us apart, as not all universities can guarantee such a hands-on experience. Students are drawn to Ticino when they see the unique advantages our education can provide. Additionally, it is crucial to highlight a key aspect of our Faculty: the opportunity for young students to engage in high-level research quickly. The future of Ticino is increasingly leaning towards biomedical research, and our Faculty plays an important role in this development, collaborating with numerous other partners."

The presence of a Master's degree in medicine in Ticino is not only a boast at an academic level but also a benefit for the region and the region's hospitals: "The benefits for the region are twofold. In the short term, this 'breath of fresh air' enhances the quality of various services, encouraging to perform at their best in front of young students eager to learn and connect with role models. In the long term, the master's degree programme could foster a generation of trained doctors with a strong sense of regional identity and belonging. While many graduates may return to other regions of Switzerland, some will likely choose to remain in Ticino."

Compared to the past, the quality of healthcare in Ticino has improved considerably: "Today, Ticino's healthcare is on par with Swiss university hospitals, thanks to a strategic vision that began in the 1990s. At that time, Ticino recognised the importance of retaining patients who would otherwise seek care at hospitals across the Alps. To address this, the region committed to investing in the establishment of high-quality medical facilities, starting with key specialities such as oncology, cardiology, and neurology and gradually expanding to other services. As a result, Ticino has significantly closed the gap that once existed between its healthcare and that of university hospitals, particularly in comparison to Zurich, the nearest reference facility. Now, except for a few highly specialised areas, the level of care provided in Ticino is comparable to that of the best healthcare institutions in Switzerland." Such a result, Professor Pedrazzini explained, was also possible thanks to the fruitful collaboration between USI and Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC). "EOC plays a fundamental role. Without its contribution, none of what has been discussed so far would have been possible. In many ways, it acts as the Faculty's 'big brother' and serves as a close and essential partner to the University, supporting us every step of the way. Regarding education, the EOC has a clear and crucial institutional mission: it not only aims to guarantee quality care but also works alongside the University to promote education and research."

The full interview with Professor Giovanni Pedrazzini, edited by Francesco Pellegrinelli for Il Corriere del Ticino, is available at the following link.