Agenda
22.10.2024
Workshop on the guidelines «Coercive Measures in Medicine»
Read more CloseThe Central Ethics Committee of the SAMS has set up a subcommittee to revise the guidelines «Coercive Measures in Medicine». As part of this revision, a discussion open to all professionals will take place. The workshop will be held on 22 May 2025 in Berne. The detailed programme and registration link will be published at the beginning of 2025.
The subcommittee will present its preliminary findings for discussion: When may – when must – urgent medical measures be taken when the person concerned does not consent or even actively resists them? How can they be kept to a minimum? The workshop offers an opportunity to discuss such questions. Save the date to share your knowledge and experience. Visit our webpage for more background information.
Further information
Ethics
30.09.2024
Lawfulness of the guidelines on management of dying and death
Read more CloseThe Public Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Berne has decided to dismiss a complaint filed against the SAMS and the FMH. The plaintiffs considered a chapter of the medical-ethical guidelines «Management of dying and death» to be unlawful. The SAMS sees this decision as a reinforcement of the role of the ethical standards attributed to its medical-ethical guidelines.
On 23 November 2023, a criminal complaint was brought against the SAMS and the FMH, claiming that the guidelines «Management of dying and death», as amended in 2021, placed doctors in a dilemma: either they were obliged to act against their conscience in certain cases and not provide assisted suicide, or they risked being expelled from the FMH. In its ruling of 19 August 2024, the public prosecutor's office of the Canton of Bern clearly rejected these accusations. Its conclusion was based in part on the legal opinion drawn up by Prof. Franziska Sprecher from July 2024 on behalf of the SAMS.
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SPHN
20.09.2024
Cantonal hospitals are joining SPHN
Read more CloseThe Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) has launched a new program to integrate cantonal hospitals in its network. By participating in the SPHN network, the hospitals can now standardize and securely share consented health data. This step is key for advancing multi-site research in personalized medicine.
The hospitals participating are the Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Cantonal Hospital Baden, and Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen. Additionally, the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, a non-profit organization, is also joining the initiative. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in personalized medicine promoting better healthcare outcomes for all.
Further information
Projects
16.09.2024
One Health: a holistic approach to human, animal and environmental health
Read more CloseThe SAMS is committed to promoting a holistic understanding of health in Switzerland in the sense of One Health. A multimedia web report highlights the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health in an impressive way. With the financial and staff support of the SAMS, the «One Health Story» could also be realised in French.
The publication of the French version is reason enough to recall the project that was awarded the 2022 «Prix Média» by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. In seven chapters, various aspects of the One Health concept are explored in depth using text, illustrations, videos and audio. Visit the website to learn more about zoonoses, ways to prevent pandemics or why nature is systematically relevant for our health.
Further information
Ethics
04.09.2024
Symposium «Governing by Values»: Medical-ethical guidelines in transition
Read more CloseTogether with the University of Bern, the SAMS organized a symposium on 3 September 2024 on the significance, legitimacy and further development of the guidelines. Various presentations from the conference are available online.
The symposium was based on the SNSF project «Governing by Values». It examined the history of the SAMS guidelines from a historical and legal perspective. In addition to questions relating to the legal framework, the symposium reflected on the current relevance and utility of the guidelines. Some of the presentations (in German and French) can be found on our website. The SAMS will publish a report on the relevance of the guidelines. The results of the SNSF project will be published by the researchers in due course.
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Publications
27.08.2024
Clinical research: the CPCR at a crossroads
Read more CloseThe national Coordination Platform Clinical Research (CPCR) is intended to strengthen the dialogue between the public actors of clinical research in Switzerland in the broader sense, to better harmonise their objectives and to clarify responsibilities. The focus of the current SAMS Bulletin shows how far this initiative has progressed, what challenges there are and what role the CPCR could play in the future.
You can also look forward to an interview with Franziska Sprecher on the legal status of the SAMS medical-ethical guidelines and find out how the Swiss Personalised Health Network (SPHN) is moving into the consolidation phase. In addition, there is news from our Senate and about our funding programs and prizes.
Bulletin 3/2024, French version (PDF)
Projects
21.08.2024
SAMS podcast on the Federal Health Act
Read more CloseIn its statement of May 2024, the SAMS proposed anchoring health in a constitutional article and drafting a Federal Health Act on this basis. In the «Morgen:Rapport» podcast, Daniel Scheidegger, former President of the SAMS, talks about this idea, its purpose and the urgency of rethinking health issues.
An article on health in the Federal Constitution would have to take into account the «One Health» approach, at the interface between humans, animals and the environment and promote the concept of «Health in all Policies». A Federal Health Act should strengthen prevention and health promotion, as well as guaranteeing care and effective governance. Daniel Scheidegger explains how this will improve the Swiss healthcare system with some surprising comparisons with other sectors. Visit the Morgen:Rapport to listen to the podcast in German.
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Ethics
13.08.2024
SAMS guidelines: relevant to practice, not legally binding
Read more CloseFor more than 50 years, the SAMS medical-ethical guidelines have been providing practical advice to health professionals. They reinforce values such as patient autonomy, justice and the principle of non-harm. Many guidelines concern topics that affect fundamental rights. The fact that such ethical standards are drawn up by a foundation under private law raises questions about the legal framework and their legitimacy. The SAMS commissioned a legal opinion to examine these issues. The results are now available.
The legal opinion, written by Prof. Franziska Sprecher, University of Bern, provides a comprehensive overview of the complex legal framework in which the SAMS medical-ethical guidelines operate. As the SAMS has no legal mandate to draw up guidelines, they have no direct binding legal effect. However, their practical and conceptual importance is expressly recognised, both by health professionals and legal and political bodies. Download below the full version of the legal opinion (in German) or visit our website for a summary in German or French.
Legal opinion, in German (PDF)