About CARS
CARS develops leaders in respiratory medicine education across Central Asia and Switzerland — a faculty development model grounded in evidence-based medicine and high-altitude respiratory health.
CARS is a programme developing leaders in respiratory medicine education across Central Asia. It is organised under the Kyrgyz-Swiss High-Altitude Medicine and Research Initiative and co-directed by faculty from the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and the National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine in Bishkek.
The programme follows a faculty development model. CARS members are senior clinicians and academics who develop, refine, and deliver teaching modules structured around Entrusted Professional Activities (EPAs) — an international standard that links each module to a clinical vignette, learning objectives, assessment items, and supervised practice with residents.
Programme structure
- Programme committee
The programme's governing body. Responsible for reviewing applications, approving teaching modules, and setting the academic priorities of CARS.
- Co-directors
The programme is led by two co-directors: Prof. Konrad E. Bloch (University Hospital Zurich) and Prof. Talant M. Sooronbaev (National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek). They are responsible for workshop content, the selection of teaching topics, and the academic direction of the programme.
- Faculty
Faculty is drawn from medical institutions in Switzerland and Central Asia. Faculty members deliver the clinical and theoretical components of workshops, contribute to the development of EPA modules, and supervise the training of residents.
- Members (Fellows)
Senior clinicians and academic leaders in respiratory medicine from Central Asia and Switzerland. Within the programme, members are trained in the faculty development model, develop and deliver EPA modules, and transfer knowledge to residents at their home institutions.