Subspecialty in old-age psychiatry and psychotherapy

Requirements

The path to the subspecialty

1. Specialist title in Psychiatry and PsychotherapyAcquiring the subspecialty requires the Swiss federal – or a recognised foreign – specialist title in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.
2. Practical training · 2 yearsAt recognised old-age psychiatry institutions: one year inpatient, one year outpatient. One year may already be completed during specialist training; part-time work from a 50% workload is possible.
3. Theoretical training · ≥ 60 creditsAt least 60 hours of theory, including a minimum of 40 credits in the regional SGAP courses and the remainder in recognised courses of free choice.
4. Supervision · 120 hoursIntegrated old-age psychiatry / psychotherapy supervision, including at least 20 hours with an external supervisor.
5. Subspecialty examination & titleWritten and oral examination according to the SIWF. Upon passing, the subspecialty title in old-age psychiatry and psychotherapy is awarded.

Examination

Subspecialty examination

The examination consists of a written and an oral part. The written part is held once a year centrally, the oral part once a year on a decentralised basis. Admission to the oral exam requires having passed the written part. Both parts take place in Bern in 2026.

Examination language German or French. Minimum interval between the parts: 6 months. The exam may be repeated any number of times – only the part not passed. Dates are published at least 6 months in advance via the SIWF.