1. Who are you?
I am a trained economist and political scientist, and for a long time, I ran my own company in the field of contract research together with two co-founders. From there, the path led to Careum via the Swiss Health Observatory and the Federal Office of Public Health. If I draw a thread through my curriculum vitae, then it leads from the development of scientific foundations for politics ever closer to political decision-making itself to the concrete implementation of health policy in the form of education and training of health personnel. In my private life, I am married and have two grown-up children.
2. What profession did you want to achieve as a child?
Professional soccer player with Young Boys. I couldn't imagine anything more attractive. Franz Beckenbauer, Ruud Krol, the great central defenders were my role models.
3. Is the position of CEO of Careum a dream job?
For me, it is a dream job at the moment. The opportunity to change came up at exactly the right time after 12 years as vice-director at the FOPH. Careum is in a very interesting transition phase. After many years of building up, we are now coming to a consolidation. I also met many very competent and motivated employees. It is great fun every day. In my private life, I also moved from Berne to Zurich, which fits in perfectly with the new start at Careum: it is a privilege to be able to rediscover a city.
4. How did you prepare for your new role at Careum and the change of sector?
At the FOPH, I was in charge of the Health Professions Department. I, therefore, got to know the education and training of the health professions very well from a legislative point of view. This background knowledge is very helpful, even though today it is of course much more about the concrete educational content. I gained entrepreneurial experience at a young age in my own company in the field of contract research. However, the standard is of course different today. Good preparation for a management role is of course very important. Nevertheless, it is also very important to listen and look, so that "prefabricated" concepts are not imposed on the team, but solutions can be worked out with the management team that fit perfectly.
5. What challenge in your career so far has taught you the most?
In terms of leadership and entrepreneurship, certainly from my first professional station in my own company, as I was very young at the time. Later on, we once told the following running gag: «How can you make a small fortune? You take a large fortune and start a contract research organization.». What we meant by that: We made many mistakes and sometimes paid expensive apprenticeship money. Later, however, this came in handy.
6. What will Careum's educational offerings look like in the future?
Education and training always reflect current social ideas about what good education is and how it should be offered. In addition, of course, there are the changing needs in healthcare. Since both elements are changing significantly at the moment, our educational offerings will also have to adapt. Keywords for this are more individual, more flexible offers; less long-lasting continuing education, shorter educational sequences; even stronger emphasis on interprofessional education and training; shift of skills towards strengthening problem-solving skills and communication.
7. If you had one wish for the Swiss healthcare system, what would it be?
Oh my! There are, of course, a lot of wishes in umpteen areas. The Federal Council's Health2030 agenda, which I was instrumental in drafting with my former department at the FOPH, gives an overview of the topics, ranging from improving the data situation to prevention and more health personnel. However, if I may quote a former Dutch health minister from the 2000s, I would say: «There is always enough money, but well-qualified personnel are not.» This is not to dismiss the question of costs, but ultimately the performance of a healthcare system is reflected in the day-to-day provision of care, and that's where well-trained staff are needed.
 |
Dr. Stefan Spycher
CEO Careum
|