Swiss Cantons Research Articles

Pathways to care in youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis in Switzerland: Current situation and clinical implementation of the PsyYoung project.

We aim to give an insight into the current situation in Switzerland concerning the pathways to care of young people with clinical high risk of psychosis. In a second step we propose a procedure of optimizing pathways to care developed within the project PsyYoung. A qualitative survey derived and adapted from Kotlicka-Antczak et al. (2020) was conducted in large early detection services of three Swiss cantons (Geneva, Basel-Stadt, Vaud) focusing on pathways to care. More specifically, using questionnaires delivered to the heads of participating services, information was collected on referral sources, on activities to implement outreach campaigns and on the use of a pre-screening tool. Main results on referral source indicated that sources were variable but seemed to come primarily from the medical sector and more so from the psychiatric sector. Very few referrals came from non-medical sectors. Outreach activities included the contact to other clinics as well as through brochures and posters. All services but one used the Prodromal Questionnaire - 16 as pre-screening tool. All in all, the results indicate a referral and care pathway system implemented mostly within the medical and particularly mental health sector. Accordingly, the PsyYoung project proposes a procedure for pathways to care which could help overcome the obstacle of referrals being restrained to a narrow field of mental health and to harmonize the referral process within services dedicated to the same aim of helping young people at high risk of developing a psychosis.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Unassisted Suicide and Assisted Suicide Rates in French-Speaking Switzerland: Differences by Gender.

Aims: Most studies on the impact of COVID-19 have shown a decrease or no change in unassisted suicide rates, but effects on assisted suicide have not been studied. We aimed to estimate the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and both types of suicide. Methods: Between 2017 and 2021, 1280 assisted suicides and 535 unassisted suicides were recorded in three Swiss cantons. We conducted descriptive and time series analyses on monthly suicide rates, categorized by gender. Results: Among women, a decrease in assisted suicide rates was found during the acute phases of the pandemic. Among men, assisted suicide rates increased gradually from the onset of the pandemic. Regarding unassisted suicide rates, no significant change was observed in women, while in men, there was a decrease, which was larger at the end than at the onset. Conclusions: COVID-19 had contrasting effects on assisted and unassisted men and women suicide rates.

Advanced Practice Nurses and Their Roles in Swiss Cancer Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectivesTo examine the advanced practice nurse workforce in Swiss cancer care and how their roles are being implemented (eg, role structures, processes) to achieve optimal outcomes for patients and their families, care organizations, and the broader health care system. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample included master-prepared advanced practice nurses in cancer care, who completed an online questionnaire from December 2021 to January 2022. Thirty-nine items assessed structures (eg, role characteristics, utilization), processes (eg, role activities, interventions), and perceived outcomes (eg, for patients, the health care system) of advanced practice nurses in Swiss cancer care. Data from closed questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data from open-ended questions were organized and summarized into categories related to domains of advanced practice nursing and its reported frequency by the advanced practice nurses. ResultsThe participating advanced practice nurses (n = 53), worked in half of the 26 Swiss cantons. Interventions were identified within nine categories, of which most were targeted to patients and their families (n = 7), followed by health care professionals (n = 2). Perceived positive outcomes were patient symptom management, length of hospital stay, and health care costs. Participants felt less confident in cancer care (eg, autonomous practice) and reported 15 professional development needs (eg, medical interventions, teaching). ConclusionsThis study provides a comprehensive examination of 53 advanced practice nurses, detailing the characteristics of their roles and utilization across various jurisdictions and health care settings. The results highlight the diverse dimensions of advanced practice nursing and its potential to enhance cancer services and outcomes in Switzerland. Opportunities for role development support and expansion are identified. Implications for Nursing PracticeMore systematic health human resource planning is needed to expand the deployment of advanced practice nurses across jurisdictions, practice settings, and more diverse patient populations. Role development needs show the desire for specialized educational preparation in cancer care.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a Zoo-Kept Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes).

Many different animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, including a few Canidae (domestic dog and raccoon dog). So far, only experimental evidence is available concerning SARS-CoV-2 infections in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in a sample from a red fox. The RT-qPCR-positive fox was zoo-kept together with another fox and two bears in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. Combined material from a conjunctival and nasal swab collected for canine distemper virus diagnostics tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with Ct values of 36.9 (E gene assay) and 35.7 (RdRp gene assay). The sample was analysed for SARS-CoV-2 within a research project testing residual routine diagnostic samples from different animal species submitted between spring 2020 and December 2022 to improve knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 infections within different animal species and investigate their potential role in a One Health context. Within this project, 246 samples from 153 different animals from Swiss zoos and other wild animal species all tested SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR and/or serologically negative so far, except for the reported fox. The source of SARS-CoV-2 in the fox is unknown. The fox disappeared within the naturally structured enclosure, and the cadaver was not found. No further control measures were undertaken.

The Prohibition of Child Labour in Factories Revisited: Towards a Social History of Decommodification in the Early Nineteenth Century

Abstract This article examines the removal of children from factories and their integration into the school system in the early nineteenth century, using decommodification as a conceptual framework. The Swiss canton of Aargau serves as a case study – a region where the textile industry flourished and a liberal government came to power after the July Revolution, subsequently enforcing compulsory education. Through a nuanced exploration of diverse sources, the article argues that decommodification was a deeply contentious process marked by conflicts between working-class families, factory owners, the state, and the church. Simultaneously, these conflicts unleashed dynamic forces that coded working-class childhood in terms of age and gender. It is this transformational power that underscores the interpretative potential of decommodification as a constructive process of Vergesellschaftung (sociation). Beyond simply freeing children from labour obligations, the prohibition of factory work reintegrated them intricately into the social fabric of the economy.

Pathways to professional mental care in the Swiss young adult community: a case-control study.

Treatment success for mental health (MH) problems depends, among others, on the timeliness of help-seeking. Therefore, we studied the effect of symptoms and reasons for help-seeking on the point-of-contact and the most intensive professional treatment in a community sample. Participants were recruited as part of the 'Bern Epidemiological At-Risk' (BEAR) study on 16-40-year-old community persons of the Swiss canton Bern. Of the 2,683 participants, 615 (22.9%) reported at least one instance of help-seeking for MH problems and were selected for the presented analyses. Help-seeking behavior was assessed by a modified version of the 'WHO pathway-to-care questionnaire', from which the outcome 'most intensive MH professional contact' was generated. The effect of symptoms and reasons for help-seeking were analyzed in separate models using path analyses. Most help-seeking persons sought MH professional help (n = 405; 65.9%) with a high number of medical pre-contacts (n = 233; 37.9%). The 'most intensive MH professional contact' was provided after an average of 1.47 contacts. Both models showed negative associations between non-MH professional pre-contacts and the most intensive, likely most adequate MH treatment. In the symptom model, 'substance misuse' and 'central-vegetative problems' increased the general likelihood of MH professional contact. Our findings highlight the importance of the first point-of-contact in pathways to adequate MH care and, when seeking help from non-MH professional, of quick referrals to MH professionals. Awareness campaigns or training of health professionals, such as general practitioners, may support timely contact with MH professionals to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome.

Štukature iz zadnje četvrtine 18. stoljeća u Palači šećerane u Rijeci

This paper provides a detailed analysis, for the first time, of the stucco decorations in the representative salons on the second floor of the Sugar Refinery Palace in Rijeka. Despite being an extremely important group of secular stuccos, it has, until now, lacked a thorough iconographic and stylistic analysis and contextualization. Furthermore, no models or masters who produced them have been identified. The Sugar Refinery Palace, specifically its administration building, served as the headquarters of the Privileged Trieste-Rijeka Company, founded in Trieste in 1750 to establish sugar trade in the Habsburg lands. Administration and production were relocated to Rijeka in 1752, when the central industrial complex was organized, and the Administration building was erected. Following the devastating fire of 1785, the building underwent reconstruction, and it was raised in height while acquiring a new representative staircase. It was assumed that the architect behind the renovation was Andrea Menini from Treviso, and recently discovered archival data confirm his presence in Rijeka during 1786. The stone decoration, part of the restoration, also reveals the contribution of Sebastiano Petruzzi, the most prominent sculptor and builder in Rijeka at the time, and his workshop. Between 1786 and 1789, the period to which the frescoes in the western salon with architectural capriccios have been dated, the decoration of the central Ceremonial Hall and the two flanking salons on the western and eastern sides along the façade was executed. The central hall features Corinthian pilasters with beams and is covered by a cloister vault decorated with war trophies and four figural medallions. Although the exact iconography of these compositions has not been determined, it is assumed that they depict scenes from the lives of Roman emperors, possibly the reigns of two “bad” emperors - Domitian and Vitellius - who met violent death, and their “good” counterparts Vespasian and Titus. The overall decoration of this hall reflects late Baroque or Josephine Classicism characteristic of the enlightened Joseph II Habsburg’s reign (1780-1790), manifesting renewed enthusiasm for the art of ancient Rome, its rationality, simple austerity, and cold sublimity. Therefore, the decoration of this hall incorporates numerous models derived from ancient and Renaissance traditions, reshaped in the manner typical of the second half of the 18th century. Notably, the early neo-Classical style in Italy and in Habsburg Tuscany during the time of Joseph’s brother, Grand Duke Peter Leopold II, played a crucial role, with his Florentine residence in Poggio Imperiale, decorated by two stucco masters, brothers Giocondo and Grato Albertolli. In the lateral salons, the finely detailed decoration is still executed in the spirit of late Rococo and painted in soft pastel tones. The cornice under the vault features stucco cameos depicting famous ancient statues, such as Venus Callipyge or Cupid and Psyche, while the ceiling is adorned with war trophies collaged from various graphic templates of the time. Based on stylistic and formal analysis, the stuccos from Rijeka can be associated with the brothers Clemente (Montagnola, 1758 - Kaštel Lukšić, after 1810) and Giacomo (Montagnola, 1763-1838) Somazzi from the Swiss Canton of Ticino. They left a significant stucco oeuvre in numerous churches across Kvarner, the Croatian Littoral, and northern Dalmatia during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The stuccos from Rijeka would be their earliest and only preserved secular work. It is plausible that the brothers worked as part of a larger workshop in Rijeka before starting their career as independent masters in the last decade of the 18th century. It may have been the workshop of Sebastiano Petruzzi, where Clemente is mentioned as an associate and partner in Rab during 1790.

Legume intake and cancer risk in a network of case-control studies.

Evidence on the relationship between legume consumption and risk of specific cancer sites is inconclusive. We used data from a series of case-controls studies, conducted in Italy and in the Swiss Canton of Vaud between 1991 and 2009 to quantify the association between legume consumption and several cancer sites including oral cavity, esophagus, larynx, stomach, colorectum, breast, endometrium, ovary, prostate and kidney. Multiple logistic regression models controlled for sex, age, education, smoking, alcohol, body mass index, physical activity, comorbidities, and consumption of fruit, vegetables, processed meat and total calorie intake were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) for different cancer sites and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals(CI). For female hormone-related cancers, the models also included adjustments for age at menarche, menopausal status and parity. Although most of the estimates were below unity, suggesting a protective effect, only colorectal cancer showed a significant association. Compared to no consumption, the OR for consuming at least one portion of legumes was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68-0.91), the OR for consuming two or more portions was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.82) and the estimate for an increment of one portion per week was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81-0.93). The inverse association between legume consumption and colorectal cancer suggests a possible role of legumes in preventing cancer risk.

Immigrant political participation is associated with more positive majority immigration attitudes across European countries and Swiss cantons

Immigrants are increasingly participating in politics, publicizing their political concerns and contributions. How does such political participation relate to national majorities’ immigration attitudes? Previous research suggested potential improvement of majority attitudes but also demonstrated the exacerbation of perceived threat. We investigated whether greater immigrant political participation is related to more positive or negative immigration attitudes among majority members. We implemented a cross-national and a cross-cantonal multilevel study drawing on the European Social Survey, the Second European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey and the Swiss Migration-Mobility Survey with 43,632 participants in 26 European countries in Study 1 and with 1058 participants in 19 Swiss cantons in Study 2. Overall, higher levels of immigrant political participation were related to more positive attitudes. This association between participation and attitudes was stronger among left-wing than among right-wing nationals. Finally, we found no evidence that larger immigrant groups’ participation evoke threat and exacerbate attitudes. We conclude that immigrant political participation is associated with more positive majority attitudes.

Are interest groups effective public action influencers in the field of education? Case studies of two school reforms in Switzerland

This article interrogates the legitimacy and influence of interest groups in the elaboration of two school reforms of the last stage of compulsory schooling in two Swiss cantons: Geneva and Vaud. Based on the principle of participatory democracy, the Swiss political system raises questions about the specificities of interest groups’ influence on educational policies. What role is given to them by the political institutions? Conversely, what role do they grant themselves in school reform processes? This article is based on a sociology of public action and aims to determine whether interest groups influence educational policies. We investigated these actors’ involvement in the development of the reforms through a thematic content analysis of four corpora of texts for each canton. Our analysis of the data indicates that the influence of interest groups operates on two fronts: agenda setting and implementation of reforms. In contrast, interest groups are little considered during the process of drawing up bills in Parliament.

Project “Ethics in sport” – where do we stand and where is the journey taking us?

A sport that uncompromisingly places the well-being of people in sport at its heart is based on three strong pillars: well-coordinated prevention, mindful support structures and an independent reporting system. Swiss Sport Integrity is the reporting and investigative body for ethical violations and abuse in sport. Swiss Olympic and its members, the Federal Office of Sport FOSPO and the Swiss cantons ensure optimal support structures and implement targeted prevention measures.

The impact of climate change on plant distribution and niche dynamics over the past 250 years in Switzerland

Herbarium specimens provide an irreplaceable source of historical plant distribution data, enabling analysis of changes in plant distribution spanning centuries. Most studies on plant distribution shifts focus on recent decades and rare species, especially along elevational gradients. We examined about 2000 historical herbarium specimens from the Botanical Garden of the University of Bern, representing 30 plant species from five Swiss lowland habitats (six species per habitat) dating back to 1768 and covering all Swiss cantons. All historical data were transcribed, georeferenced and then combined with current data resulting in about 170 000 plant records over 250 years. Combined with climatic data from the same period, we found that all habitats increased their potential distribution area with a significant gain in the semi-arid grasslands (+8.15 %, p-value = 0.031). On species level, 75 % of the selected species expanded their distribution, while 25 % of the species retracted. Despite these shifts, 90–99.6 % niche stability was observed between historical and current climatic niches across all species. Shifts in co-occurring species were specific to the species, not to the habitat. The consistent overlap in historical and current climatic niches suggest that distribution expansion is due to the growth of areas with suitable climates, pointing to climate change as a driving factor for plant distribution changes over the past 250 years.

Adaptations of a community-based integrated care model for frail home-dwelling older adults using the results of a feasibility evaluation

Introduction: The WHO recommends implementing integrated care models to overcome fragmented care for frail older adults. However, their effectiveness remains inconclusive, due to limited assessment of implementation processes and outcomes. As population ages, the Swiss Canton Basel-Landschaft adopted a legal framework requiring creation of Information and Advice Centers (IAC) for home-dwelling older adults. INSPIRE and the Canton are collaborating to develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated care model for the IACs. INSPIRE is a multiphase implementation science project: Phase 1 included participatory development of the INSPIRE care model by involving cantonal and local stakeholders. Stakeholder involvement is still maintained, through bi-yearly meetings. Phase 2, the present study, aimed to evaluate its feasibility and implementation and describe the adaptations needed
 Methods: Design: Using a mixed-methods design, we evaluated the feasibility and implementation of the INSPIRE care model and the IAC by: a) measuring fidelity to the implementation strategies to promote the IAC; b) describing IAC visitors; and c) assessing implementation outcomes of the care model.
 Sample:  All IAC visitors; 18 older adults 65+; a nested sample of 8 frail older adults 75+; 8 informal caregivers; IAC nurse and social worker.
 Data sources: qualitative data from interviews (older adults/informal caregivers) and meetings (IAC staff); quantitative data from the IAC administrative information and health records
  
  
 Results: 
 
 Aim a & b: IAC promotion: 63 out of 83 planned promotional activities were delivered by the IAC leadership (e.g., letters to older adults 75+) but not delivered to all target stakeholders. IAC visitors: Between Jan-Sept 2022, 113 older adults aged 65-74 and 362 aged 75+ visited the IAC. From the 65-74 group, 12 individuals were identified as pre-frail/frail and from those, 2 received the INSPIRE care model. From the 75+ group, 162 individuals were considered pre-frail/frail and 47 of them received the care model. The care model reached 4.8% of the target population. Referral source: 92 (aged 65-74) and 174 (aged 75+) self-referred to the IAC; few referrals by community care providers. Services requested: The main requested service in the 65-74-year-old group was social services (32/113) while for those 75+ it was a needs assessment (141/362).
 Aim c: Qualitative information: the nurse showed higher acceptability of the model compared to the social worker. High acceptability and feasibility of the model were perceived by older adults and their caregivers. Quantitative information: fidelity to the model core components mean score: 33/48; lowest scores for care coordination and follow-up.
 
  
 Implications: The high acceptability of the INSPIRE care model by older adults who acceded to the intervention and their caregivers shows that integrated care approaches may have potential to enhance quality of care although adaptations might be needed to increase its fit. In parallel, in order to increase reach, more efforts and supportive leadership are needed to promote the IAC, enhance community care providers engagement in the referral process.
 Next steps: Adaptation of the care model and implementation strategies to increase referrals to the IAC, thus improving reach of the intervention, and contributing to better recruitment for the effectiveness evaluation.

The Impact of Host Language Proficiency on Migrants’ Employment Outcomes

This paper estimates the economic gains from proficiency in the host country’s language on migrants’ employment outcomes by exploiting the exogenous placement of refugees to Swiss cantons and a sharp language border dividing German- and French-speaking regions. Using administrative data on African refugees who applied for Swiss asylum between 2008 and 2017, I compare French-speaking refugees assigned to the French-speaking region to French-speaking refugees assigned to the German-speaking region and adjust for common regional differences with outcomes from English-speaking African refugees. The results suggest that language proficiency more than doubles the employment level in the first five years after arrival. (JEL J15, J24, J31, J82, R23)

Reflections on the position paper at the conference of the DVRW (German Ass. for Science of Religion), Bayreuth 2023, calling for integrated teaching of ‘religion’ for all students in Germany

In Germany, Austria, and to some extent in Switzerland, denominational instruction in religion or secular ethics at schools is the legally enshrined norm. Considering that these countries comprise about 100 million inhabitants, with Germany being the by far most populous nation in the EU, this is of cultural significance outside of the German-speaking realm too. A philosophy of inclusion of the Churches and recognised religious communities into the social life and education is pursued, that is legally entrenched in constitutions (notwithstanding the religious-philosophical neutrality of the state). This provides for their active inclusion into education on all levels, in forms of cooperation between state(s) and Church. The present (prevalent) structure of compulsory denominational religious instruction, or secular ethics, at choice, and of the academic training of teachers at denominational faculties of theology, or of other recognised religions, reflect his system. It is in force for over one century, now. This system has come under pressure by the ongoing secularisation that prevents the formation of sufficiently large classes for such separate instruction. As to knowledge about religion, there is also a trend in society for become aware or the role of religion in shaping culture. The presence of large Islamic immigrant communities, has sharpened awareness for differing value systems and mores, between religions and cultures. These factors of sociology of religion, and of societal change, led to developments towards integrated religious instruction, to the inclusion of perspectives and themes of science of religion in denominational curricula, and to the increased inclusion of themes of religion in secular ethics instruction. In this context, the German Association for Science of Religion (DVRW) endorsed a position paper, calling for an integrated instruction of religion (and ethics) for all students. It also calls for science of religion as regular study requirement to qualify for teaching such an integrated subject. This model is in force in only on state of Germany (and in some Swiss cantons). The position paper thus has aspects of promoting the position of the discipline. This review gives a critical analysis of arguments proposed in this position paper that was debated and endorsed at the recent conference of the DVRW in Bayreuth in September of 2023. My critique of this position paper is based on decades of teaching Protestant Religion at upper secondary schools, with the experience of applying instruction on other religions, on the basis of science of religion – as prescribed by the curriculum, about which I published, as with a teacher’s manual for the instruction on Hinduism (including Yoga), and Buddhism,1 as required by the curriculum. (This manual combines perspectives of science of religion, theological approaches, from the perspectives of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Protestant Christianity, and of history of culture.), by contributing to debate in the field,2 and lectures, on didactical consequences of secularisation for religious instruction,3 and professional publications,4 also in sociological perspective.5

Annotated checklist of the Swiss bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthophila): hotspots of diversity in the xeric inner Alpine valleys

We present a checklist of the Swiss bees and provide information on the distribution of every bee species in all 26 Swiss cantons. 632 species are reported, including the European honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 and the exotic species Megachile sculpturalis Smith, 1853. Species richness in each canton was correlated with the canton area, with the four largest cantons hosting the highest number of species. Bee diversity hotspots were located in some Alpine inner valleys characterized by a dry and warm climate due to the rain shadow effects of surrounding mountains. These hotspots are mostly located in the steppe-like habitats of the Valais and Graubünden cantons. They host diverse wild bee communities which include a unique assemblage of submediterranean faunal elements and subalpine species. In addition, these habitats host rare species with strongly disjunct distributions in Europe, further stressing the conservation priority of these habitats for wild bee conservation. Intensive faunistic surveys performed in the last 20 years have revealed that about 20 bee species, either previously unknown for Switzerland or which had disappeared from the country for several decades, have colonised areas close to the borders of France and Italy. Most of these new or reappeared species were observed in the warmest area of the country and presumably colonized or recolonized the country from neighbouring regions following global warming. Lastly, DNA barcodes are presented for 394 specimens, including for many species so far not represented in the BOLD database. The taxonomic status of numerous unclear taxa is briefly discussed based on combined genetic and morphological analyses.

Operating AI systems in the electricity sector under European’s AI Act – Insights on compliance costs, profitability frontiers and extraterritorial effects

Artificial intelligence (AI) brings great potential but also risks to the electricity industry. Following the EU's current regulatory proposal, the EU Regulation for Artificial Intelligence (AI Act), there will be direct, potentially adverse effects on companies of the electricity industry in Europe and beyond, as well as those active in the development of AI systems. In this paper, we develop a replicable framework for estimating compliance costs for different electricity market agents that will need to comply with the numerous requirements the AI Act imposes. The electricity systems of Austria, Greece and Switzerland are used as case-studies. We estimate annual, aggregated costs for electricity market agents ranging from less than one million to almost 200 million Euros per country, depending on compliance costs scenarios. Results suggest that a profit growth of 10% through AI utilization is needed to offset the highest added compliance cost of the AI Act on electricity market agents. Eventually, we further show how to assess the regional differences of these costs added to system operation, providing spatially disaggregated compliance costs estimates that consider the structural differences of the electricity industry within 26 Swiss cantons.

Contact tracing for COVID-19 in a Swiss canton: analysis of key performance indicators.

Contact tracing (CT) has played an important role in strategies to control COVID-19. However, there is limited evidence on the performance of digital tools for CT and no consensus on which indicators to use to monitor their performance. We aimed to describe the system and analyse outcomes of CT with a partially automated workflow in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, using key performance indicators (KPIs). We describe the process of CT used in the canton of Solothurn between November 2020 and February 2022, including forward and backward CT. We developed 16 KPIs representing CT structure (S1-2), process (P1-11) and outcome (O1-3) based on previous literature to analyse the relative performance of CT. We report the changes in the indicators over waves of SARS-CoV-2 infections caused by several viral variants. The CT team in Solothurn processed 57,363 index cases and 71,809 contacts over a 15-month period. The CT team successfully contacted 99% of positive cases within 24 hours (KPI P7) throughout the pandemic and returned almost all test results on the same or next day (KPI P6), before the delta variant emerged. Three-quarters of contacts were notified within 24 hours of the CT interview with the index (KPI P8) before the emergence of the alpha, delta and omicron variants, when the proportions decreased to 64%, 36% and 54%, respectively. The percentage of new symptomatic cases tested and interviewed within 3 days of symptom onset was high at >70% (KPI P10) and contacts started quarantine within a median of 3 days of index case symptom onset (KPI P3). About a fifth of new index cases had already been in quarantine by the time of their positive test (KPI O1), before the delta variant emerged. The percentage of index cases in isolation by day of testing remained at almost 100% throughout the period of analysis (KPI O2). The CT in Solothurn used a partially automated workflow and continued to perform well throughout the pandemic, although the relative performance of the CT system declined at higher caseloads. CT remains an important tool for controlling the spread of infectious diseases, but clearer standards should improve the performance, comparability and monitoring of infection in real time as part of pandemic preparedness efforts.

FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN SWITZERLAND

The article provides an analysis of the current problems of education in Switzerland. Based on the development of normative materials (national and cantonal levels), scientific research by foreign scientists (U. Bekolli, X. Bueler, U. Fredriksson, B. Getto, A. Gretler, T. Holzer, M. Keim, K. Maag-Merki, J. Zulliger) and generalization of the educational activities of practicing teachers (N. Boruvka, К. Кirr, R. Stuber) the Swiss education system is characterized, the latest trends and contradictions in its development are highlighted.In the course of the general historical and pedagogical discourse, it was emphasized that Switzerland has fundamental pedagogical traditions, which are reflected in the works of J. Pestalozzi (1746-1827), A. Ferrier (1841-1919), J.-Zh. Rousseau (1712-1778), E. Clavius (1837-1906). It has been established that modern education in Switzerland is decentralized and lies within the responsibility of cantons (administrative units), so certain features may exist in different regions of the country. However, the general principles of organizing the education system of the Swiss cantons are similar. Each canton establishes its own educational calendar, curriculum and didactic criteria.The basic structure of Swiss education includes the following levels: preschool education, primary education, secondary education (lower secondary education and upper secondary education), vocational education, higher education. One of the features of the education system in Switzerland is multilingualism. Four languages are officially recognized in the country: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Depending on the region, the language of instruction may differ. Foreign languages are highly valued in the Swiss education system. Most children and young people learn English and at least a second national language. It is also worth noting that the education system in Switzerland is quite flexible, there are different paths and programs that meet the needs of pupils and students with different educational goals and interests.It was found that the problems of education in Switzerland are studied by many scientists who specialize in the field of education, psychology and sociology. Among the most urgent problems of Swiss pedagogy, it is appropriate to single out the following aspects: digitalization of education and the impact of this process on the transformation of educational interaction between teacher and student, teacher and student (pedagogical creativity and cooperation in conditions of digitalization); organization of didactic communication in a multicultural and multilingual educational environment (approximately 25% of the population of Switzerland is made up of foreigners); professional development of teachers (lack of support for innovation, inflated expectations of society, instability of employment, etc.); application of labor education and productive work in the educational process; improvement of ties between educational institutions and basic enterprises, etc.

Action-oriented planning methods as a tool for improving regional governance in Switzerland: Evidence from the Sisslerfeld area

Faced with challenges such as rapid transformation of existing settlements, reorganisation of mobility patterns, and climate change mitigation management, the governance of spatial development in Switzerland demands institutional and procedural innovations, particularly noticeable at the regional scale. Although cantons, the middle-governmental tier between the federal and communal authorities (municipalities), play a coordinating role supported by numerous formal and informal planning instruments, the small size of the institutional territory, coupled with administrative decentralisation of the country and autonomy of the lowest administrative levels, often challenges a multi-governmental and multi-sectorial approach to regional spatial development. Against the concepts of regional governance, regional planning and the action-oriented planning, and using the mixed-method research approach (focusing on documentary analysis and ethnographic methods), the article critically assesses a planning method – test planning – applied in the process of creating a development vision of Sisslerfeld, the largest land reserve in the Swiss canton of Aargau. Research results highlight the potential and limitations of informal collaborative procedures and elucidate the approaches of critical actors in an effort to achieve joint institutional action.