Summer School on refugee & migrant health
Scope
When & Where: 15th September – 18th September 2026 – Bern, Switzerland
Participants:
All healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, public health specialists, humanitarian aid workers, …), as well as students at the end of their master’s degree / PhD, who are already working with refugees / migrants or who intend to do so in the near future. Furthermore all professions (e.g. social workers, project coordinators,…) from various sectors (NGO, governmental, private…), working within healthcare of migrants and refugees, who wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge within the field of public & global health care. We welcome participants from Switzerland and all over the world.
The course this year (2026) is ideal for anyone seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in the field of paediatric and mental health in displaced populations.
Summary:
Given the ongoing migration around the world, it is not surprising that we are increasingly treating patients with a direct or indirect migration background in medical practice as well. This poses special challenges for the health professionals involved.
The Summer School on Refugee and Migrant Health offers a unique opportunity to impart specialist and background knowledge in the field of migration and refugee healthcare and to prepare health professionals for the challenges and special features in the treatment of patients with a migration background. Moreover, we encourage networking and multidisciplinary exchange between peers and experts, in order to bring people together and thus to create synergies and bundle resources. Participants will learn firsthand through lectures and exchange with national and international experts within the field of refugee and migrant healthcare. Additionally, innovative learning scenarios support the transfer of knowledge from theory to practice in the field of clinical work and the management of public health projects. Through challenge-based learning, participants will be able to acquire and use their own skills to face some of the most pressing problems and to find potential solutions by formulating specific action / project plans to overcome challenges in the provision of healthcare to refugees and migrants.
Course outlet 2026:
This three-day course takes place in close collaboration with the Emergency Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Bern (Inselspital) and University Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Psychiatric Services Bern (UPD) AG. It addresses mental health in forced displacement from clinical, public health, and system perspectives. Key topics include adapting psychotherapy for refugee minors, trauma-informed care, navigating cultural diversity, and working with interpreters. Furthermore, participants will explore liaison-based stepped-care approaches for crisis intervention in clinical and camp settings, the integration of digital mental health and blended care models, as well as innovative strategies for addressing complex trauma and transgenerational trauma. Additionally, the program broadens its focus to structural and social determinants, addressing epistemic justice, and diversity-sensitive care. On the clinical side, experts will cover infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and ethical dilemmas such as the age assessment of unaccompanied minor refugees, highlighting models of good clinical practice in different settings and countries. Through expert-led discussions, comprehensive interdisciplinary case studies focusing on clinical pathways, and interactive group sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of best practice models for equitable healthcare from various international perspectives. Finally, it offers ample opportunities for networking and practical application of knowledge, equipping participants with insights and strategies to better address the unique needs of these vulnerable groups.
Swiss Symposium on Refugee and Migrant Health:
All participants of the Summer-School can participate in the Symposium.
Topic 2026: Inclusive Healthcare, Communication and Research
The symposium focuses on practical inclusivity, offering workshops and expert talks on how to communicate wisely with patients and caregivers from other cultural backgrounds and how health workers can learn to provide inclusive healthcare. It will also showcase best practices for including migration characteristics in research.
Innovative Design and Activities:
– Interdisciplinary setting & networking with peers & experts from Switzerland & globally
Innovative, interactive learning scenarios:
-> case studies & exercises
-> Insight into different care models in refugee settings in Europe
-> lectures by national and international experts
– Participation in workshops and program of the Swiss Refugee and Migrant Health Symposium
Overarching learning goals:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique paediatric and mental health challenges faced by refugee and migrant children, as well as their caregivers, in the context of displacement.
- Explore the specific risks to mental and physical health that displaced minors encounter, including complex trauma, transgenerational trauma, and the impact of social determinants of health like housing and schooling.
- Examine the accessibility of healthcare services and evaluate models of good clinical practice, interdisciplinary care pathways, and digital health interventions in various settings.
Learning Outcomes:
After the course you will be able to:
Evaluate how forced displacement affects health: Recognize common psychological distress, trauma-related disorders, and the specific mental and physical health needs of refugee minors.
Apply key structural concepts: Utilize frameworks such as epistemic justice, diversity-sensitive care, and social determinants of health to understand their impact on the well-being of migrant populations.
Critically analyze access and equity: Identify barriers to accessing healthcare and explore innovative strategies to improve care, including liaison-based stepped-care approaches, digital/blended care models, and inclusive communication.
Address clinical and ethical challenges: Recognize specific medical challenges in paediatric migrant health, such as managing infectious and non-communicable diseases, and navigate ethical dilemmas like the age assessment of unaccompanied minors.
Implement cultural humility and partnership: Understand the significance of trauma-informed care, working effectively with interpreters, and establishing true partnerships with caregivers to deliver ethical, inclusive, and effective healthcare.
Program
Responsible for the concept and program of the summer school: Dr. Anne Jachmann
Program may be subject to change (current version will always be displayed here):
You can find the detailed plan here.
15th September – 18th of September 2026 (08:30 – 17:30)
Tuesday – Thursday mornings: Training & Lectures
Tuesday – Thursday afternoons: Exercises & Lectures
Friday – Swiss Symposium on refugee & migrant health
Speakers (list is subject to change):
– Professor Dr. L. Suzanne Suggs, PhD, MSc, BBA, CHES, Full Professor of Social Marketing at the Università della Svizzera italiana, where she leads the BeCHANGE research group in the Institute of Communication and Public Policy. She is Vice-President of the Swiss School of Public Health, and a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine
– PD Dr. Julia Brandenberger, MD PhD MIH, Consultant Physician, Emergency Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Bern (Inselspital)
– Kim Berg, MD, MPH, Resident Physician in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Outpatient Clinic for Survivors of Torture and War (AFK), University Hospital Zurich (USZ); Ponte – Outpatient Service for Asylum Seekers, University Psychiatry Hospital Zurich (PUK Zürich); Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
– Dr. Karsten Klingberg, Emergency Department, University Hospital Bern (Inselspital)
Registration
Apply now if you are not to miss this great opportunity.
You will be notified as soon as possible if your application has been successful. Your registration is completed and valid only once full payment has been received.
Price:
Regular Fee:
– CHF 475 1st week (3 days + Symposium) in person
– CHF 250 1st week (3 days) online (CHF 100 for persons from low- and middle income countries)
– CHF 150 per day in person / CHF 90 per day online
Included in the price:
Fee for course (summer school, workshops, Symposium) and course material, lunches (sandwich) & coffee breaks. The price does not include travel costs, accommodation or insurance.
Cancellation Policy:
For participants who have applied and been accepted to the course, but who subsequently withdraw:
Cancellations up until 15th of August 2026: We will refund the fee paid minus CHF 100 to cover administration and banking fees.
For cancellations after 15th of August 2026, there will be no refund.
Selection Criteria:
The number of participants is limited to 35. We aim to have a lively, international and interdisciplinary group of participants with a balanced number of different professions. Since this is an interactive program, we encourage people to participate in the Summer School who enjoy to engage with peers and experts.
Scholarship:
General information
Who may apply?
All healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, public health specialists, humanitarian aid workers, …), as well as students at the end of their master’s degree / PhD, who are already working with refugees / migrants or who intend to do so in the near future. Furthermore all professions (e.g. social workers, project coordinators,…) from various sectors (NGO, governmental, private…), working within healthcare of migrants and refugees, who wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge within the field of public & global health care. We welcome participants from Switzerland and all over the world.
Level of English:
Given the interactive design of the course, an adequate level of English is expected. We do not require an English language certificate, but every participant should be able to follow the lectures, read scientific articles in English, to actively participate in the group work and discussions and to give a presentation.
ECTS and Continuing Education Credits:
By participating in the summer school, you can receive the following continuing education credits & ECTS (amount for the complete 1st week, correspondingly lower share for fewer days):
SGNOR (Swiss Professional Society for Emergency and Rescue Medicine): 32 Credits
SSAPM (Swiss Society for Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine): 13 Credits
SGC (Swiss Professional Society for Surgery): 8 Credits
ECTS (University of Bern): 2
Acknowledgement of the ECTS points in the study programs at home institutions other than the University of Bern is the responsibility of the participants.
Accommodation:
There are several B&B, hostels, student accommodation and hotels near the Summer School venues. Upon request, we can assist in booking an accommodation.
Social/ Leisure time activities:
There are plenty of activities to do in Bern and its surroundings, including swimming in the Aare river, taking a hike in the alps or exploring Bern’s old city centre.
Arrival:
Bern is easily accessible by bus or train and has its own airport. Furthermore, there are direct trains from Basel central train station (15min by bus from Basel Airport) or Zurich and Geneva Airport to Bern’s central train station.
Insurance:
Please make sure you have a valid health and accident insurance which will cover your stay in Switzerland.
Visa:
Participants are responsible for checking whether they need a visa for Switzerland.
Public Transportation in Bern:
You can easily get around the city by foot or rent a bicycle. There are also buses and tram, which connect the whole city. Please explore options: https://www.bern.com/en/detail/public-transport
For questions on the content or organisation of the summer school intensive course please contact: info@migration-health.com
