Publications

26.06.2024

Developing the healthcare system: our SAMS Bulletin presents ideas

Read more Close

The DIPEx database enables patients to document their individual experiences and thus make their voices heard within the healthcare system. The current Bulletin of the SAMS, available in French or German, will enable you to discover what additional benefits these resources bring to research, training and a learning health system.

In Bulletin 2/2024, you will also find an interview with Katrin Crameri and Thomas Geiger on the future of the Swiss Personalized Health Network, and our proposal for a new article in the Constitution and a Federal Health Act. As usual, you will find the latest news from our General Secretariat and our Departments Ethics and Promotion as well. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Bulletin 2/2024, French version (PDF)

Visit the website

Academy

18.06.2024

The SAMS has updated its mission statement

Read more Close

At its meeting on June 13, the Senate approved an updated version of the SAMS Charter. The one-page document summarizes the Academy's guiding principles, objectives and missions. The SAMS is not reinventing itself, but refining its self-perception in a constantly changing environment.

Based on several months of strategic reflection, the document last revised in 2009 has undergone a number of changes. The first part now focuses on the principles of independence, transparency and inclusiveness. The second part details the three missions pursued by the Academy: 1. Medicine and society, 2. Medicine as a science and a practical discipline 3. The SAMS as a member of the scientific community. The Senate welcomed this initiative and approved the update.

Mission statement, French version (PDF)

About SAMS

Academy

14.06.2024

The SAMS will have a new President in January 2025

Read more Close

At its meeting on June 13, the Senate elected Prof. Arnaud Perrier as the new President of the SAMS. Prof. Perrier will succeed Prof. Henri Bounameaux, who is extending his mandate until December 31, 2024. A member of the Senate since 2018, Prof. Perrier is well acquainted with the SAMS, having served on the Executive Committee between 2013 and 2016 and participated in the work of several commissions.

Trained as an internist, Prof. Perrier spent most of his career at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), where he headed the general internal medicine department. During this time, he has been an active clinician and clinical researcher, and has been involved in the reform of medical studies. He is currently Medical Director of the HUG until the end of the year. Visit our website for the current composition of our Executive Board.

Visit the website

Ethics

11.06.2024

The SAMS guidelines in use: questions about assessment of capacity

Read more Close

The medical-ethical guidelines provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance on ethically challenging situations in everyday clinical practice. In the journal «Primary and Hospital Care», the SAMS guidelines are illustrated with concrete practical examples. The last article of the series deals with assessment of capacity. It is now available on our website in French and in German.

Medical-ethical guidelines need to be put to the test in practice. In this context, not only one's own experiences are important, but also those of professional colleagues. For this reason, «Primary and Hospital Care» has published a series of case studies since 2018 in which various SAMS guidelines are applied in practice. Previous topics have included for example palliative care, coercive measures in medicine and the medical care of people with dementia. The last contribution deals with assessment of capacity. It can be downloaded here, in French and in German. Previous articles are available on our website.

Download, French version (PDF)

Visit the website

Academy

10.06.2024

RNA technologies: mechanisms of action and applications

Read more Close

Ribonucleic acids (RNA) play an essential role in all cells of all organisms. The Covid-19 pandemic brought RNAs in the form of mRNA vaccines into the spotlight: less than a year after the outbreak of the pandemic, mRNA-based vaccines against Sars-CoV-2 were available in most western countries. A report published by the Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences (SCNAT) describes these and other RNA-based technologies.

The aim of the report is to provide a technical and scientific overview of the various currently relevant RNA technologies. It provides information on the mechanisms of action of the various RNA-based approaches, their fields of application and their development status. The report is intended to help assess and discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of the various RNA technologies and their products. It is also intended to support the legal categorisation of RNA products.

Report (PDF)

Further information

Agenda

27.05.2024

Register now: Network event of the Biomedical Libraries

Read more Close

The «Biomedical Libraries» Commission, hosted by the SAMS, is holding a network event. This year’s «Exchange between Systematic Reviews experts» will take place on Tuesday, 27 August 2024 in Basel. Participation is free of charge, registrations are requested until 21 June 2024.

The event offers Systematic Reviews experts from the different institutions an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from each other. After short input speeches, various aspects of systematic reviews services will be discussed in a «World Café». The event will be held in English. More information can be found in the program.

Program (PDF)

Registration

Academy

23.05.2024

Statement in favour of a Federal Health Act

Read more Close

At the beginning of June, the Swiss people will vote on two initiatives concerning costs in our health care system. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, a number of major issues will remain unsolved: an ageing population, staff shortages, the electronic patient record, etc. On the basis of a scientific analysis, the SAMS is now proposing a new article in the Constitution and a Federal Health Act in order to find long-term solutions and enable effective governance of the healthcare system.

Health must be understood as a holistic concept in the sense of «One Health», at the interface between humans, animals and the environment. This requires endeavours towards «Health in all Policies». In its statement, the SAMS therefore supports the idea of a Federal Health Act and also proposes that health should be enshrined in the Constitution. You will find a concrete proposal for this new article in our statement (pdf). Further documents and background information are available on our website.

Statement, French version (PDF)

Further information

SPHN

06.05.2024

SPHN: Continuity despite change in DCC leadership

Read more Close

After 5 years as Director of the SPHN Data Coordination Center (DCC) and Group Leader of the SIB Personalized Health Informatics Group, Katrin Crameri will join the Swiss Confederation to take up a new position from 1 June 2024. Among other things, she will co-lead the DigiSanté program to promote the digital transformation in the healthcare sector. Thomas Geiger, Managing Director of SPHN, will assume ad interim the responsibility for the DCC’s activities.

In her new position, Katrin Crameri is also taking on a bridging role: there are many overlaps and potential synergies between the SPHN-DCC and DigiSanté, and relations with the FOPH's Digital Transformation department can be further strengthened. Thanks to Thomas Geiger, Managing Director of SPHN since 2021, continuity has also been ensured within SPHN. His comprehensive knowledge and his good relations with the DCC team and network partners will ensure a smooth transition. More information can be found on the SPHN website.

Visit the website