Academy
23.06.2025
Bulletin 2/2025: Challenges and tensions surrounding global health
Read more CloseJust a few years after the pandemic, the world is facing new challenges that have global health implications. These include significant reductions in development aid by some countries, including the United States. In the main article of the SAMS Bulletin, Professor Antoine Flahault calls for commitment to multilateral strategies, urging that the vision of a world with equitable access to healthcare must not be abandoned.
Other topics addressed in the SAMS Bulletin 2/2025 include data governance models within the Swiss Personalised Health Network, advance care planning in nursing homes, and the MD-PhD programme, with a breakdown of the 2025 requests. On the last page, we invite you to take part in a survey. We would like to hear your thoughts on the Bulletin to help us tailor it to the needs of our readers. You can download the Bulletin below or go to the «Publications» menu (in French or German).
SAMS Bulletin 2/2025, French version (PDF)
Projects
17.06.2025
Ethical guidelines for animal experiments
Read more CloseThe Swiss Animal Welfare Act permits the use of animals for certain scientific purposes; at the same time, however, it requires that the dignity of animals be respected and their welfare protected. The revised ethical guidelines for animal experiments are designed to clarify the margin of discretion left by the legislation and to encourage researchers to reflect on the handling of animals in their experiments.
Almost 20 years after the last revision (2005), the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (ECAE) – a body jointly operated by the SAMS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) – has updated the ethical guidelines for animal experiments in the light of new scientific knowledge and research methods, as well as changes in the legal framework. The revised guidelines are available in three languages (English/German/French) and can be downloaded free of charge.
Download the guidelines (PDF)
Ethics
16.06.2025
Consultation: Guidelines «Determination of Death with Regard to Organ Transplantation»
Read more CloseSwitzerland is changing its organ donation system by adopting an extended presumed consent model. The new legislation requires revisions to the SAMS guidelines. The Academy is taking this opportunity to comprehensively revise the 2017 guidelines. The subcommittee responsible has examined the new medical developments and updated and expanded the guidelines accordingly. The three-month public consultation period begins today. Feedback can be submitted until 19 September 2025.
A medically reliable determination of death is a crucial prerequisite for post mortem organ removal. The SAMS medical-ethical guidelines establish a standardised procedure for this and provide clarity through defined processes, requirements for the training of specialists, as well as principles for transparent communication. All interested institutions and individuals are invited to comment on the draft guidelines. Detailed information and all necessary documents can be found on our dedicated webpage.
Invitation to comment, French version (PDF)
Ethics
13.06.2025
New topic page: Medical-ethical considerations on assisted suicide
Read more CloseAssisted suicide is a controversial topic, raising numerous medical-ethical questions. The SAMS has long been concerned with this subject. In the guidelines on «Management of dying and death», a separate chapter is dedicated to assisted suicide. The SAMS provides a sound medical-ethical framework for physicians who have to make complex case-by-case decisions on assisted suicide. A new topic page delves deeper into this complex issue and answers frequently asked questions (FAQ).
In Switzerland, every physician is free to decide whether or not to provide assisted suicide. The SAMS guidelines give medical-ethical guidance for those in the medical profession who are willing to consider it. The new topic page offers a comprehensive overview of the legal framework and the role of physicians, as well as the conditions for medical-ethical responsible assisted suicide in accordance with the guidelines. The FAQ section explains key aspects of the ethical, social, and political debate in easily understandable terms.
Visit the website
Academy
12.06.2025
The SAMS’ Senate is growing and becoming more female
Read more CloseIn its meeting on June 10, the Senate elected additional individual and honorary members from various disciplines and institutions. For the first time, there is a clear majority of women: eight of the nine newly elected members are women.
The Senate is the highest organ of the SAMS and comprises a total of about 280 members. Elections are usually held during the summer meeting in May/June, and new members are officially admitted during the Senate meeting in November. All names of the newly elected can be found in our newsletter of 12 June 2025 (in French).
Further information
Projects
05.06.2025
Advanced Practice Nurses: a sound factual basis
Read more CloseOver the last two decades, the Swiss educational landscape has undergone fundamental changes in the health sector. The integration of health professions into the national education system has given rise to a large number of new training pathways, with the emergence of so called advanced practice roles – first in nursing and then also in other health professions. A report commissioned by the SAMS aims to promote informed debate on this complex issue.
The author Prof. Urs Brügger (methodix) presents a variety of viewpoints and helps to bring this complex matter into sharper focus. It aims to provide decision-makers with a sound factual basis for pursuing discussions on the classification, regulation and integration of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) within the Swiss health system. The report includes a summary in English and French. The complete French version of the report will be published here by the end of June. The recommendations included in the report are those of the author. The SAMS intends to explore this topic in more depth in the coming months. Further information will be provided via our Newsletter and published here on our website.
Report in German with a summary in English (PDF)
Agenda
23.05.2025
Invitation to the Meet & Greet of the Biomedical Libraries
Read more CloseThe «Biomedical Libraries» Commission, hosted by the SAMS, is holding a Meet & Greet. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, 12 August 2025 in Zurich. Participation is free of charge, registrations are requested until 13 July 2025.
Under the title «Innovative Teaching in Swiss Medical Libraries – Current Trends and Perspectives», the «Meet & Greet» is dedicated to teaching and training activities within Swiss medical libraries. The program will feature insights and discussions on self-education and e-learning tools, artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and educational offerings for medical students and clinicians.
Download the program (PDF)
SPHN
22.05.2025
Register now: PHRT-SPHN Conference 28–29 August 2025
Read more CloseOn 28–29 August 2025, the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) and its sister initiative Personalized Health and Related Technologies (PHRT) from the ETH Domain host the conference «From Technology to Treatment: Advancing Precision Medicine» in Zurich. Register now and come explore with us the latest advances in personalized medicine.
The two-day event will bring together international leading experts from academia, healthcare, and industry to explore the latest breakthroughs in personalized medicine. The conference focuses on how cutting-edge technologies can transform clinical practice and improve patient care. Click the link below for the program and registration. The event will be held in English.
Visit the website