The Meikirch Model is a health science concept that views health not as a static state, but as a person's ability to cope with the demands of life. At its core is the question of how health is created, maintained, and promoted.

The model assumes that health always emerges through the interaction of various factors: individual characteristics, social relationships, and natural living conditions. Health is therefore context-dependent and develops dynamically throughout the course of life.

Origin and Motivation

The Meikirch Model was developed from 2005 onwards by Johannes Bircher, Professor Emeritus of Medicine, and was named after his place of residence, Meikirch, in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. His aim was to establish a broadly accepted and practical definition of health that could serve as a common goal for medical care, healthcare organizations, and health policy.

The further development and dissemination of the model is supported by the Foundation for the Promotion of Health according to the Meikirch Model. The foundation is committed to raising awareness of the model's principles, providing a scientific basis for them, and promoting their application in a variety of contexts. Its board of trustees includes professionals from different areas of the healthcare system.

Two Potentials at the Core of the Model

At the heart of the model is the distinction between two fundamental potentials. The biologically given potential comprises a person's physical and genetic characteristics. The personally acquired potential develops throughout life through experience, learning, and social interaction. Health arises when these two potentials can be utilized in such a way that a person is able to meet the demands of life. This understanding broadens traditional disease-centered approaches and is becoming increasingly important in light of rising healthcare costs, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the increasing complexity of healthcare needs.

Areas of Application

In medicine, public health, and health policy, the Meikirch Model serves as a conceptual framework for analyzing and further developing healthcare systems. It strengthens the focus on prevention, health literacy, coordination, and integrated models of care. Rather than emphasizing individual interventions, the model highlights the interaction between individuals, healthcare professionals, organizations, and the broader conditions that shape people's everyday lives.

Key Areas for Action

Based on the Meikirch Model, the working paper "Reorienting the Swiss Healthcare System: Reflections Based on the Meikirch Model" identifies several key areas for action, including:

• Person-centered care
• Empowerment and participation
• Coherent governance across policy sectors
• Lifelong learning
• Aligning healthcare with quality of life

Relevance for Smarter Health Care

For Smarter Health Care, the Meikirch Model provides a central conceptual foundation. It supports a people-centered, connected, and integrated understanding of health and healthcare. The model promotes dialogue, collaboration, and shared responsibility across disciplines, organizations, and policy sectors, thereby offering a robust framework for the continued development of healthcare practice, research, and health systems.