In Switzerland, foreign professionals play a central role in the health sector. However, the recognition of their diplomas is becoming a challenge, particularly with the entry into force of the health professions law in 2020. Some osteopaths are struggling to meet these requirements.
Anna Wanner / ch media
In order to better guarantee the quality of care in the face of the diversity of foreign diplomas, in 2016 Bern set uniform national standards for seven health professions: nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, midwifery, nutrition and dietetics, optometry and osteopathy. Requirements for training and recognition of diplomas must guarantee patient safety.
The CRS is responsible for the recognition of diplomas in the field of health and helps foreign professionals integrate into the local system. These are essential in Switzerland. For example, in 2023, almost half of the 6,900 new registered nurses had a foreign diploma, the situation is similar for midwives.
In 2020, the new health professions law developed by Bern came into force. This is now causing more and more concern. Indeed, the five-year transitional period expires in just three weeks. People who have not applied for authorization to practice with the canton before February 1 can no longer work under their own responsibility. For many professionals with their own practice, this effectively amounts to a ban on practicing.
1450 osteopaths can breathe
Since 2013, the Swiss Red Cross has recognized 50,860 foreign diplomas in the field of health. Marc Bieri, head of health professions at the CRS, explains:
“For five of the seven professions who now work under their own professional responsibility, the new regulations do not represent a massive change; on the other hand, for osteopathy and optometry, yes.”
In osteopathy, the recognition of foreign diplomas is difficult, because most states do not recognize this health profession. Switzerland is a pioneer in this area.
Here, with the new law on health professions, a master’s degree and 8,000 hours of training are required for an osteopath to work independently as a first responder, he adds. Marc Bieri explains: “We must apply it to guarantee the quality of treatment.”
What does this mean for local professionals? The course is relatively recent in Switzerland, it was introduced in 2014. Many osteopaths practicing in Switzerland therefore have a foreign diploma. And this often does not meet the requirements. But the Red Cross assures that it has long proposed a solution:
“Those affected had the opportunity to demonstrate their professional skills by following training or taking the CDS exam.”
Marc Bieri
How big is the problem?
Currently, around 300 osteopaths are undergoing additional training. Meanwhile, around 1,450 are on the health professional register and fully meet the requirements. Over the past five years, only 40 requests have been refused.
It is impossible to quantify the number of professionals who nevertheless find themselves on the verge of bankruptcy. Some legal experts recommend against filing a claim because it has no chance of success. The reason for this is a procedure pending since 2020 before the Federal Administrative Court, which has yet to rule on the recognition of foreign diplomas.
“The long duration of procedures prevents our members from obtaining recognition on time”as formulated by the Association of Academic Osteopaths of Switzerland (Vaos) in a letter addressed to the cantonal governments. Until the end, Vaos was still looking for solutions for its members. According to her, the deadline was too short due to the legal proceedings. But it was not heard at the political level. In response to a question, the Federal Council said that the law had been adopted since 2016. Professional associations would have had eight years to prepare for the change.
Although most osteopaths should be able to continue practicing, some could soon lose their practice. The Swiss Red Cross is also aware of the possible consequences. Marc Bieri says the law serves patient safety:
“We had German diplomas with 800 hours of training. In Switzerland, we require 8,100, or ten times more”
Translated and adapted by Chiara Lecca
