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
Projects
20.05.2025
The SAMW is ending its co-funding of the Cochrane Library
Read more CloseAt the end of 2024, the SAMW renewed its financial commitment to national license for the Cochrane Library for another year. This means that healthcare professionals and the entire Swiss population will continue to have free access to evidence-based information that helps them make informed healthcare decisions. However, the Academy will withdraw from this funding in 2026.
There are two main reasons why the SAMS has decided to end its financial commitment. Firstly, in its role as a catalyst, the Academy only funds projects for a limited period of time. Secondly, the development of federal contributions for the period 2025–2028 necessitates budget cuts in certain areas. Until the end of the year, the SAMS will continue to cover two thirds of the licensing costs. Unfortunately, we have not found an institution through our contacts willing to take over this share. If you have any questions or are interested in co-financing, please visit our website for more information and contact details.
Visit the website
Academy
29.04.2025
The SAMS Annual Report 2024 is online
Read more CloseThe year 2024 of the SAMS has featured inspiring ideas, revealing insights and successfully completed milestones. As a result, the Academy's activities attracted significant attention.
The retrospective continues to be the heart of our online annual report. It provides an overview of past year's activities. The different colours by department show the variety of our activities and our commitment to science, medicine and society. Scroll through the eventful year 2024 once again or download a printable PDF of the report (available in French or German).
Download the report, in French (PDF)
Academy
24.04.2025
CAS One Health: Sustainable health for humans, animals and the environment
Read more CloseTo successfully tackle the complex problems of our time, all disciplines, sectors and population groups must work together. This also applies to medicine. That is why the One Health approach aims to restore the balance between humans, animals and ecosystems. The University of Bern is launching Switzerland's first CAS on this topic. The program starts in September 2025 and the application deadline is 31 May 2025.
The One Health approach, which the SAMS supports in its position papers, proposes to extend the recognition of the ecosystem-animal-human interconnection into professional actions, aiming at sustainably maintaining health in the broadest sense. Among others, the «Network for Transdisciplinary Research» (td-net) of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences (a+) supports the CAS One Health at the University of Bern. Detailed information is available on the program website. The SAMS’ position paper «Promotion of health services respecting planetary boundaries» can be downloaded in French and German.
Position paper, French/German (PDF)