Directing citizens to create advance directives

In Switzerland, it is now mandatory for medical staff to act according to patients’ advance directives. Unfortunately, even though many people know about their ­existence, only a small minority actually draft them.

Immunotherapy in head and neck cancer – scientific rationale, current treatment options and future directions

This review focuses on currently approved immunotherapy for head and neck cancer, and promising immunotherapeutic approaches under clinical investigation.

Trends in the use of mammography for early breast cancer detection in Switzerland: Swiss Health Surveys 2007 and 2012

The value of breast cancer screening programmes is a matter of debate because of the limited effect on mortality, false-positive findings requiring diagnostic workup and possible overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

A digitally facilitated citizen-science driven approach accelerates participant recruitment and increases study population diversity

Conventional clinical studies have a number of shortcomings such as restictive exclusion criteria and failure to address patient-relevant outcomes. Recent developments in society and technology could help to overcome some of these problems.

External validation of the 80+ score and comparison with three clinical scores identifying patients at least 75 years old at risk of unplanned readmission within 30 days after discharge

A potentially avoidable readmission is an unplanned readmission occurring within 30 days of discharge. As 20% of hospitalised elderly patients are rehospitalised as an unplanned readmission, it is necessary to identify those at risk.

Accidental or intentional exposure to potentially toxic medications, natural toxins and chemicals during pregnancy: analysis of data from Tox Info Suisse

Pregnant women are daily exposed to potentially harmful agents, such as food products and household chemicals, as well as medications. Affected women and health professionals are still often unsure about how to react.