Family medicine has developed into an academic discipline characterized by general practice teaching and patient-centered clinical research. However, to this day, patients with multiple diseases and patients at an advanced age are still often excluded from studies. Despite this, the study results from such studies are extrapolated to these patient populations. This gap between practice and research must be closed, which is the reason why the Institute of Primary Health Care of the University of Bern (BIHAM) is working towards this together with the other primary health care institutes.
BIHAM sees itself as a partner of family doctors throughout Switzerland and especially in the region of Bern. Together, we advocate for strong primary health care. We look forward to hearing from you.
Since 2020, BIHAM also has a complementary professorship in primary care pharmacy and medicine. Pharmacists are trained to care for patients through optimizing drug therapy and promoting health, well-being, and disease prevention. With the shift of care to the outpatient setting, clinical pharmacists are valuable experts, able to relieve overburdened primary care systems. The involvement of pharmacists as key players in primary care requires the acceptance of physicians and all other healthcare providers to build trust, create effective workflows, and demonstrate added value. Finally, processes should put patients at the center in order to enable the provision of seamless interprofessional care.
To this end, our aim is to create models of care and scientific knowledge to promote the interprofessional role of pharmacists and general practitioners as important actors in primary care settings.
Successful research is based on the following components:
BIHAM works in partnership with family doctors in Switzerland, and especially in Canton Bern. Together, we are committed to strengthening family medicine. Please contact us if you are interested in collaborating on research.
