FMH Continuing Medical Education

Lifelong continuing medical education is an essential prerequisite for practising the medical profession competently. It is enshrined as a professional obligation in the Federal Act on Medical Professions (MedBG).

Where can I find information about continuing medical education for physicians in Switzerland?

You will find all the necessary information on the website of the Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Continuing Medical Education (SIWF). Continuing education programmes may vary depending on the specialty. The continuing education programme of the Swiss Society of Ophthalmology is the applicable standard for ophthalmologists.

From when is a physician subject to the continuing education requirement?

From 1 January following the award of the specialist title. Physicians undergoing postgraduate training for a specialist title or a sub-specialisation are exempt.

Which continuing education counts towards the requirement?

The continuing education programme that corresponds to the physician's current professional activity.

How much continuing education is required?

80 credits (1 credit = 1 hour) per year, regardless of workload/employment percentage

• 30 credits (hours) of self-study (no proof required, credited automatically
• 0-25 credits of non-specialty continuing education (recognised by another medical society)
  • proof required
• 25-50 credits of structured continuing education (SOG-recognised continuing education)
  • proof required
    • e.g.: SOG 24 CME points, DOG 21 CME, ESCRS 36.5 CME
  • 10 credits internal training at the training clinic (ONO internal online training every Tuesday, 12-1 pm, 25 hours/year)
  • Please join with your webcam on so attendance can be verified
• 15 credits of active work as an author or speaker
  • 10 credits for quality circles/group continuing education (1 credit/hour)
  • 10 credits for lecturing or teaching activity in ophthalmological postgraduate and continuing education (2 credits per 10-60 minute lecture)
  • 10 credits for publications as first or last author in peer-reviewed journals (5 credits/publication)
  • 4 credits for poster presentations (2 credits/poster)
• 15 credits of other continuing education
  • 5 credits of clinical-practical continuing education (participation in ward rounds, case presentations, hospital observerships by physicians in private practice) 1 credit/hour
  • 10 credits of structured learning with electronic media (e.g. online learning programmes)

Must continuing education be documented?

Monitoring of continuing education is based on the principle of self-declaration and must be recorded on an ongoing basis in the SIWF's official web-based continuing education log, myFMH. Certificates of attendance for continuing education activities must be kept for 10 years and may be requested as part of random audits. Self-study does not need to be documented.

How is continuing education documented?

On the SIWF website under myFMH -> Login -> Continuing Education Platform -> For Physicians -> Record activities

How do I apply for a continuing education diploma, and is there a fee?

On the SIWF website under myFMH -> Login -> Continuing Education Platform -> For Physicians -> Apply for continuing education diploma

In digital form, the diplomas are free of charge.

Can credits be carried over from one year to another?

Three years are combined into one continuing education period. The total number of points must be reached within these three years. Training certificates can be issued via myFMH; this is chargeable and not mandatory.

Can one be exempted from the continuing education requirement?

Yes, if medical practice in Switzerland is interrupted for at least 4 and up to a maximum of 24 months, a pro-rata reduction of the continuing education requirement can be requested, e.g. due to illness, time abroad, maternity leave, etc.

Do I have to sacrifice my free time for continuing education?

ONO Guideline (operating concept as of 2025): Each physician receives 5 days for continuing education