We develop infrastructures, governance models, and processes that enable healthcare systems to continuously learn from evidence and experience.

• The Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) - From 2017 to 2025, the Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) (www.slhs.ch) worked to strengthen Switzerland’s health system by bridging research, policy, and practice. Led by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, together with many partner institutions across Switzerland, the SLHS promoted evidence-informed decision-making and a continuous learning process that connected patients, providers, insurers, policy-makers, and researchers. The SLHS covered diverse topics in health services research and developed capacity-building programs and activities in Learning Health System (LHS) sciences, helping to train the next generation of LHS experts. The Competence Center for Learning Health Systems served as the management and coordination office of the SLHS and continues to advance this mission. Parts of the SLHS’ activities have now transitioned to Smarter Health Care network, in which the Competence Center is also actively involved.
• Integrating Knowledge Translation: A Swiss Approach to Bridging Research and Health System Improvement – Bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice is critical for strengthening health systems and ensuring evidence informs real-world decisions. This project explored the dynamics of the Swiss Learning Health System, a knowledge translation platform and a PhD training program. This research focused on how, as a platform driven by doctoral researchers, effective academia- policy-practice engagement can be fostered. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the project sought to understand and document how structured knowledge translation mechanisms might facilitate the incorporation of research evidence into practical health system improvements.
• PrEP Care Reimagined:Participatory Systems Modeling for an Alternative, Community-Centered PrEP Counseling Pathway - Drawing on community knowledge from Switzerland’s national PrEP program, this project co-designs an alternative counseling pathway that reflects diverse clinical environments and patient needs. Using participatory systems thinking, it explores how care can be adapted to expand access, reduce barriers, and support sustainable HIV prevention within the national program. Findings will inform future implementation efforts and support broader, continuous learning in equitable PrEP delivery.
• Mapping Intersectoral Collaboration: A Network Analysis of Health and Social Care Organizations in Switzerland – The Swiss healthcare system is highly complex, which makes it especially difficult for vulnerable populations to access and navigate the services they need. Overcoming these barriers requires organizational efforts and close collaboration between health and social care providers to ensure coordinated support and equitable access to care. This project maps intersectoral collaboration between health and social organizations in the canton of Lucerne, examining network structures, key actors, forms of cooperation, and factors that facilitate or hinder effective interprofessional collaboration.

We translate research into actionable, context-specific recommendations that strengthen health policy and governance.

• Recommendations for the Contents and User Groups of a National Monitoring System for Healthcare Services –  As part of efforts to enhance quality in the Swiss healthcare system, the Federal Quality Commission (FQC) was tasked by the Federal Council with creating a monitoring system and dashboard for quality development and transparency. Information on exemplary systems in Switzerland and abroad was collected, and stakeholder dialogues were conducted with organizations, experts, patients, and the public to identify potential users and purposes (see full report). Building on these findings, a second project was launched to develop recommendations for a national quality monitoring system. Key indicators for measuring and comparing healthcare quality nationwide are being identified in collaboration with 20 experts from 13 Swiss research institutions. User groups and purposes are being defined, indicators are being evaluated and refined, and processes for their ongoing adaptation are being developed. The work is supported by literature reviews, expert interviews, surveys, Delphi studies, and input from a dedicated Sounding Board (see media release).
• Eliminating HPV-Related Cancers: Strategic Recommendations for Swiss Health Policy – Switzerland continues to face a significant burden from HPV-related cancers despite vaccination and cervical screening programs. Vaccination coverage remains below the WHO’s 90% target, screening is largely opportunistic, and a coordinated national elimination strategy is still absent. A stakeholder dialogue, informed by international strategies and expert input, resulted in a roadmap outlining priority actions, including strengthening political commitment, using evidence-based planning, improving data and monitoring, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and expanding education and communication. Ongoing stakeholder consultations are refining these measures and driving coordinated efforts toward a national strategy for HPV elimination (see final roadmap).  

We work directly with patients, practitioners, decision-makers, and communities to design and test solutions together.

• Health2040: Driving Innovation in Primary Healthcare through Co-Creation with Stakeholders in Switzerland –  Primary healthcare in Switzerland faces significant systemic challenges, requiring innovative solutions to ensure its future resilience. The “Health2040” project engaged more than 40 stakeholders - including patients, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and insurers - to develop a shared vision and an actionable framework for the future of primary care through a co-creation approach (see the final report).
• Optimizing Clinical Practice Guideline Adherence in Primary Care in Switzerland – Clinical practice guidelines translate the best available evidence into practical recommendations for healthcare delivery, but their use in practice remains inconsistent. To address this gap, the project brought together diverse stakeholders in a design-thinking process to co-develop actionable solutions. The resulting stakeholder dialogue produced three innovative concepts to improve guideline use in medical practice (see the Policy Brief).
• Co-Creation for Health Policy-Making: a Global Overview – Co-creation is increasingly recognized as a valuable approach for tackling complex health policy challenges. This project explores best practices worldwide in co-creating health policies with stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement in Health Policy and Research in Switzerland: Needs and Expectations – This project explores how diverse stakeholder groups in Switzerland can be effectively engaged in health policy and research. By identifying their needs and expectations, it aims to strengthen participatory approaches and support more inclusive decision-making.

We equip researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers with the skills and tools to apply evidence and collaborative methods in their work.

• Co-Creating Health Equity Training for Emerging Researchers: A Learning Health System Approach – Preparing the next generation of researchers to address health inequities requires training that is both evidence-informed and grounded in diverse community perspectives. This project examined how transdisciplinary, democratized approaches can shape a health equity course for doctoral researchers in Learning Health System training. Pedagogical co-creators developed an implementation science curriculum integrating measurement and analysis tools, participatory methods, and community knowledge. The project demonstrates that engaging diverse community partners in course design has the potential to enhance both the relevance of the training and the equity focus of learners’ research.
• The Role of Knowledge Translation in the Swiss Health Evidence Ecosystem – Around the world, countries face challenges in using research evidence in decision-making environments. This project assesses how evidence is funded, generated, translated, and applied in Switzerland. Guided by the WHO Checklist for Supporting the Routine Use of Evidence During the Policy-Making Process, the project engages a broad range of health system members including funders, researchers, evidence intermediaries, science communicators, and decision-makers. The findings aim to provide actionable insights to strengthen institutional capacity for integrating research into health policy and system improvement.
• Webinar Series - To strengthen the capacity of researchers, practitioners, and policy professionals, we host webinar series focused on translating evidence into practice and policy. Past sessions include “Clear, Concise, Compelling: Mastering Science Communication,” “Synthesizing Science: Pathways to Impact,” and “Systems Thinking for Societal Impact.” These webinars provide practical skills and frameworks to enhance the reach, clarity, and impact of research in real-world health systems.