For over 30 years, the IML has been a centre of competence in the field of medical education. We are committed to achieving a high standard of excellence and to reacting flexibly and appropriately to different and changing educational needs. As a university organization, our activities focus on research, teaching, service and development.

The research carried out at the IML is aimed at contributing to further developments in the field of medical education. Our experience allows us to generate new ideas and hypotheses, test them objectively in a controlled environment and use the new principles and knowledge that we acquire in our teaching. In addition, we are committed to building and maintaining networks both locally and abroad and to keeping our knowledge in the field of medical education completely up-to-date. Our research has a heavily interdisciplinary structure, unifying the fields of medicine (for the scientific content), psychology and didactics (cognitive aspects of learning and teaching and learning methods), methodology (assessment, evaluation, design of studies, statistics) and technology (implementation and support using new technological developments). The research topics are determined by the core activities of the respective departments.

IML’s internationally oriented Master of Medical Education (MME) programme offers wide-ranging, part-time, post-graduate studies in medical education theory and practice for teachers and curriculum developers in medicine and other health-related fields.
In addition, we are actively involved in different educational activities such as medical foundation and advanced courses, as well as in university and external programmes. We cooperate in the development and implementation of teaching and testing methods. We also are responsible for the organisation and maintenance of the Bern Faculty of Medicine’s learning centres.

The IML offers a wide spectrum of services. Each department has its own areas of specialisation.

• The Assessment and Evaluation Unit (AAE) offers customers support that is tailored to their needs in planning, developing, implementing, evaluating and reporting on structured, oral and practical examinations. In addition, it designs and implements evaluations of learning programmes.
• The Education and Media Unit (AUM) has many years of experience in the development of teaching material and methods that make full use of technical media. This knowledge and its many products are made available for use in the teaching of various medical disciplines. The department also accepts commissions for media productions (films, graphics, internet).
• The Curriculum Coordination & Students’ Office (STPL) plans and organises the medical studies offered by the faculty. In addition, it cooperates in curriculum development and the continuous evaluation of courses. In the course of carrying out the many tasks associated with the organisation of instruction, knowledge and experience are gained that are valuable to the IML.

The IML wants to expand its role as an interdisciplinary centre of competence and research, specialising in a wide range of subjects. We place great importance on assuring the quality of our work and products in all areas. The continuing development of our methods and (IT) infrastructure is an essential component of our expertise and quality management.
As a service provider, our goal is to offer the highest level of quality and efficiency in all areas. In the field of testing, we emphasise the development of new forms of examinations that test comprehensive medical competence based on differentiated learning goals. In the field of media, we focus on the development of new learning tools and innovative solutions for the flexible administration of multi-media learning materials. Many of our development projects are closely tied to research carried out here.

As an innovative organization, our attention is directed at the needs of the present as well as the challenges of the future. Our actions are guided by a sense of responsibility for our common goals. In our work with others we place great value on trust, personal integrity, mutual respect and open communication. We take an active role in the design of projects. Our goal-oriented management achieves quality and excellent results. We encourage and promote the initiative, independence and competence of our staff. Our short lines of communication and efficient decision-making processes allow us to react flexibly to the needs of our partners.