Ethics
17.09.2025
ACP in retirement and nursing homes: Brochure available in three languages
Read more CloseAdvance care planning (ACP) should be available to anyone interested, including those living in retirement and nursing homes. The brochure published today describes how ACP can be implemented in long-term inpatient care institutions. The aim is to support residents and determine how they would like to be treated and cared for in the event of incapacity.
ACP is a continuous process involving residents, professionals, and where available, relatives. The new brochure provides practical support for introducing and implementing ACP in retirement and nursing homes. It is particularly aimed at nurses, doctors and ACP consultants. In six steps, the when, what and how of ACP are described. Further information can be found on our topic page, where the brochure can be ordered in print or downloaded as a PDF (available in German, French and Italian).
Download brochure, French Version (PDF)
Academy
12.09.2025
Viruses as hope against antibiotic resistance
Read more CloseAntibiotic-resistant germs are posing an increasing problem for medicine. Phage therapy offers a ray of hope. Phages are viruses that only attack and destroy bacteria. This can be used as a therapy if a suitable virus is found for the disease-causing bacterium. A film commissioned by the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) summarises the current state of knowledge on this subject.
In Switzerland, phages may currently only be used in emergencies. But how does phage therapy work? Where is it already being used? And what are its limitations? These questions and more are answered in the film «Phage therapy – medicine goes viral» by science journalist Thomas Häusler. Following its premiere in Bern, the film is now available to watch on the SCNAT Youtube channel.
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Projects
02.09.2025
Invitation to test the new «Service Finder for Researchers»
Read more CloseA new tool called the «Service Finder for Researchers» has been developed within the National Coordination Platform Clinical Research (CPCR) thanks to the technical expertise of the Swiss Biobanking Platform (SBP). The tool, which encompasses four national research infrastructures, is designed to help researchers navigate the complex world of clinical research.
Thanks to the use of a common vocabulary, the tool enables users to explore the range of available resources and to quickly find the right contact person depending on their needs. Following an internal test phase, the tool is now ready for beta testing. If you are interested in trying out the «Service Finder for Researchers», please register on the SBP website. You will be given access between September 15 and 30, allowing you to contribute to this important project.
Registration
Publications
26.08.2025
Advanced Practice Nurses: What role do they play in Switzerland?
Read more CloseThe SAMS Bulletin 3/2025 focuses on the nursing professions and highlights the roles of advanced practice nurses (APNs), which remain relatively underdeveloped in Switzerland. A report commissioned by the SAMS aims to promote an informed debate on this complex issue. In this Bulletin, the author Urs Brügger summarizes the most important findings and two members of the SAMS Executive Board contribute their perspectives from the fields of medicine and nursing sciences.
The Bulletin 3/2025 also presents the revised ethical guidelines for animal experiments, outlines the continuation of the Coordination Platform Clinical Research (CPCR) and highlights issues surrounding organ donation after assisted suicide. It also contains a comprehensive double interview on the strengths and challenges of the Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN). Last but not least we would like to thank you for your active participation in our survey on the bulletin. The responses are currently being evaluated and will be presented in a later issue.
SAMS Bulletin 3/2025, French version (PDF)
Projects
14.08.2025
Innovation Qualité: a prize to promote quality in healthcare
Read more CloseThe «Innovation Qualité» Prize of the Swiss Academy for Quality in Medicine (ASQM), a FMH-related organisation, is intended to highlight tried and tested projects, make knowledge in the field more visible in Switzerland and provide innovative impetus for debate among specialists. The SAMS supports this prize.
Projects can be submitted in two different categories: successful transition to outpatient care and patient safety. In addition, there is awarded a «Jury’s Special Prize». The prize money ranges from CHF 10’000 to CHF 15’000. The deadline for submissions is 1 December 2025, and the award ceremony will take place on 12 June 2026 in Bern. Further information can be found on the FMH website (French, German, Italian).
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Ethics
05.08.2025
Flyer on the medical-ethical guidelines
Read more CloseOur new flyer provides an overview of the medical-ethical guidelines of the SAMS. Available in four languages, it provides information on the role, function and legal significance of the guidelines. Three case studies illustrate how the guidelines help with difficult decisions in practice.
The guidelines cover a wide range of topics – from general to specific ethical issues. They have therefore been a key element of professional ethics for over five decades and an indispensable guide for health professionals. The flyer on the guidelines can be found on our website, where you can also order print versions free of charge in the desired quantity in English, German, French or Italian.
Flyer (PDF)
Projects
15.07.2025
smarter medicine: 40'000 francs to promote research
Read more CloseThe association «smarter medicine – Choosing Wisely Switzerland», of which the SAMS is a founding member, is committed to optimizing healthcare in Switzerland. This year, it is once again awarding a grant for research projects and supporting two applications with up to CHF 20’000 each. Applications can be submitted until 26 September 2025.
The focus of this year’s call is «Patient Involvement in smarter medicine». It is open to research projects that encourage the collaboration of healthcare professionals and patients in outpatient and/or inpatient care settings. Projects can be submitted by individuals, research groups, or organizations. Further information and the application form can be found on the smarter medicine – Choosing Wisely Switzerland website (in French or German).
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SPHN
14.07.2025
SPHN introduces new governance structure and funding scheme
Read more CloseWith the formal signing of the mandate 2025–2028 by the Confederation, the governance structure of the Swiss Personalized Health Network as well as its funding instruments are evolving. SPHN’s goal for the next four years is to firmly anchor the infrastructure it has built for personalized medicine in Switzerland and to support more research projects with expertise. The funding for the core activities of SPHN is secured. A newly established Steering Board strengthens strategic oversight, while a Sounding Board ensures broad stakeholder involvement.
SPHN’s core financing from the ERI Dispatch 2025–2028 covers the Data Coordination Center (DCC) and the essential core services and infrastructures of the federated network components at hospitals, BioMedIT nodes, and national repositories. This adapted setup aims to establish the optimal foundations for the long-term coordination of clinical and health-related data from 2029 onwards. The strategy will be developed with SERI’s mandated expert group, in close alignment with the DigiSanté program of the Federal Office of Public Health and the Federal Statistical Office. Further information is available on the SPHN website.
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