This year, members of the SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP committee had the privilege of representing psychiatry at Medifuture, the career congress organized by VSAO-ASMAC at Wankdorf, Bern. This dynamic event brought together medical students, young doctors, and professionals from across Switzerland, creating a unique space for networking, learning, and career exploration.
Medifuture is far more than just a career fair—it’s a platform for interaction and inspiration. Featuring exhibitor stands, engaging presentations, and personalized coaching sessions, the congress aims to support future medical professionals as they navigate the complexities of choosing a specialty. As representatives of psychiatry, we were thrilled to showcase our training program, share insights into our specialty, and connect with medical students and fellow trainees interested in mental health.
At the psychiatry stand, we presented an overview of the training pathway, answered questions about the challenges and rewards of the field, and exchanged experiences with attendees. It was also a wonderful opportunity to network with other psychiatric trainees and engage with young medical societies from various specialties. This type of collaboration strengthens the medical community and reinforces psychiatry’s role as a dynamic and evolving discipline.
To make our stand even more interactive, we organized a contest offering students a “taste” of psychiatry through creative challenges. It was a fun and engaging way to spark curiosity and encourage exploration of mental health as a career path.
The atmosphere at Medifuture was vibrant, with a diverse range of specialties and institutions coming together. The informal setting encouraged candid conversations, and the “speed-dating” sessions with professionals provided attendees with a glimpse into the variety of career journeys possible in Switzerland’s flexible medical training system. Psychiatry, like many fields, offers diverse pathways—from clinical practice to research, teaching, or public health—and Medifuture was an excellent platform to highlight this versatility.
For SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP, participating in Medifuture was about more than promoting our specialty. It was about showing that psychiatry is a supportive and inclusive field, offering trainees guidance and camaraderie as they progress toward their titles. It was also a reminder of our commitment to fostering connections and advocating for mental health within the medical community.
