Release of new SPHN Metadata Catalog features
The Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) Metadata Catalog is an online resource designed to help researchers discover and explore health datasets available within Switzerland. It provides detailed information on available datasets, including their structure and access requirements. Following a user survey, SPHN is pleased to release an improved user interface of the SPHN FAIR Data Point (FDP). Users now benefit from advanced search and filter features, allowing them to find relevant datasets more efficiently.
02.09.2026
In spring 2026, Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) conducted a voluntary user feedback survey on the SPHN Metadata Catalog. The survey was linked on the SPHN Metadata Catalog and promoted over LinkedIn as well as in direct contact with stakeholder audiences. SPHN received feedback from researchers, data scientists, IT specialists, clinicians, project managers, as well as other users. SPHN is pleased to report that more than 80% of all survey respondents expressed high satisfaction or satisfaction with the SPHN Metadata Catalog. 77% of all respondents reported that they are very likely or likely to use the SPHN Metadata Catalog in the future.
Survey participants particularly appreciate the availability of detailed metadata accessible through the catalog, as well as concept- and terminology counts. This user feedback confirms the importance of providing both human-readable and machine-actionable metadata to support FAIR health data discovery.
Feedback already implemented: New metadata-based search and filtering
One of the most frequent requests by survey participants was a tool feature to better filter and navigate through catalogs and datasets represented in the SPHN Metadata Catalog. In response, SPHN has extended the SPHN FAIR Data Point with new search and filtering capabilities.
Users can now:
- Search across catalog and dataset metadata;
- Filter datasets based on available metadata attributes - such as data provider or data type;
- Narrow down search results to identify datasets that match specific research interests or domains, for example clinical routine or omics data;
- Explore metadata collections more efficiently as the catalog continues to grow.
These enhancements make it easier to identify relevant datasets without requiring prior knowledge of individual projects and further strengthen the SPHN Metadata Catalog as a central entry point for FAIR health data in Switzerland.
SPHN would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey and shared feedback. Your suggestions directly influence the evolution of the SPHN Metadata Catalog and help improve the discoverability and reuse of health research data across Switzerland.