Academy
15.01.2019
Cochrane Library answers your questions on health care
With the national licence for the Cochrane Library, health professionals and the Swiss population have free access to a quality and validated source of information on medical issues and health care.
For over 25 years, the Cochrane network has been producing systematic reviews to summarize research findings in the field of medical care. Each review allows you to quickly form an opinion on a specific question, without having to read all related studies. The reviews are regularly updated and reflect the current state of knowledge. Since 2016, the national licence for the Cochrane Library has been funded by the SAMS, the Federal Office of Public Health, as well as university libraries and hospitals. Take the opportunity to visit the Cochrane Library, when a next question related to health or medical care arises.
Futher information
Funding
18.12.2018
Thirteen grants for «Young Talents in Clinical Research»
In 2017, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the SAMS jointly launched the «Young Talents in Clinical Research» program to support doctors venturing into clinical research. 13 grants have been awarded among the 42 proposals submitted for this second call.
The Bangerter Foundation provides 1 million francs each year until 2020 to support young doctors making their first steps in clinical research and ensure a well-trained next generation of physician scientists. You will find the list of grantees in the synopsis below.
Synopsis of grantees PDF
Ethics
13.12.2018
Medical management of suspected persons with body packs
Doctors in charge of people suspected of smuggling drugs in their bodies (body packing) are confronted with conflicting expectations. In consultation with the Conference of Swiss Prison Doctors, the Central Ethics Committee (CEC) of the SAMS has supplemented the guidelines «Medical practice in respect of detained persons» with a new appendix clarifying the tasks of the doctors involved.
People who illegally transport drugs in their bodies across the border run a high risk to their health. In case of suspicion, border guards may request their hospitalization for verification purposes. The doctors involved are faced with the dilemma that they are simultaneously responsible for verifying the «suspicion of body packing» but also for the medical surveillance of the person concerned. The new Appendix H of the SAMS Guidelines «Medical practice in respect of detained persons» provides a clarification of the roles.
Medical practice in respect of detained persons (appendix lit. H amended 2018) PDF
Ethics
11.12.2018
New medical-ethical guidelines: Assessment of capacity in medical practice
The presence of capacity is an essential prerequisite for the validity of a patient’s consent to medical treatment or care. Declaring whether a patient has or does not have capacity has thus profound implications. With its new medical-ethical guidelines published today, SAMS offers support for medical practice.
Patients’ autonomy is of major importance in medical decision-making processes. In this respect, the presence of capacity plays a fundamental role. However, health professionals often face significant uncertainties when assessing this capacity. The new SAMS guidelines provide guidance for all professionals involved in such an assessment. The guidelines can be downloaded in PDF format (in German, French, Italian and English); printed copies can be ordered in German and French free of charge: order@samw.ch.
Guidelines: Assessment of capacity in medical practice (2018) PDF
Academy
29.11.2018
The Swiss Personalized Health Network supports 10 projects with 9.6 million Swiss Francs
The Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN) contributes to the development, the implementation and the validation of the data infrastructure that is required to make health-related data interoperable and shareable across Switzerland. Under the second call for proposals, SPHN decided to support ten projects for a total amount of CHF 9.6 million.
In order to make the best use of the available resources, the second call for proposals launched by SPHN was again coordinated with the ETH-Domain Strategic Focus Area in Personalized Health and Related Technologies (PHRT). A list of the funded projects is published on the SPHN website; three of the ten projects will be co-funded by SPHN and PHRT.
Visit the website
Funding
23.11.2018
Research in palliative care: six projects supported
The SAMS, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation and the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation jointly supported palliative care research from 2014 to 2018. In the last call for proposals, six projects were approved for a total amount of CHF 898’519.
The synopsis provides an overview of all recipients of this funding program since 2014. The most important results of supported projects will be presented at a research symposium organized by the SAMS in autumn 2019. This day will also be an opportunity to review the program and reflect on the future of palliative care research funding in Switzerland. Details will be published via newsletter and on our website.
Synopsis of grantees
Funding
31.10.2018
Call for proposals: national MD-PhD scholarships 2019
The SAMS and the Swiss National Science Foundation, with the support of Swiss Cancer Research, award a number of competitive MD-PhD scholarships. The submission deadline is 15 December 2018.
MD-PhD scholarships enable young physicians to complete a doctoral research training in natural sciences, public health sciences, clinical research or biomedical ethics at a Swiss university. In 2019, the scholarships covering the salary of the beneficiaries for a period of 2 to 3 years will be funded by the SNSF, the SAMS and Swiss Cancer Research. Details on the format and procedure for submission can be found in the program regulations and on our website.
National MD-PhD program regulations PDF
Projects
05.09.2018
What do you think about personalized health?
Personalized health is influencing medicine more and more. But what does the population think of this evolution? The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences invite to dialogue on personalized health with online questions, various events, and a new thematic portal.
The field of personalized health is one of the six strategic priorities of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. SAMS coordinates the various activities within the association. Detailed information can be found in the press release (PDF) published today and on our website. Take part in the dialogue, your opinion interests us.
Media release: Personalized health – public dialogue project (in German) PDF