Current position of angiology in Switzerland

Today, more than 250 angiologists in Switzerland are responsible for the care of the increasing number of vascular patients. About 30 training centers for angiology are spread through Switzerland at present.

Over the last 40 years, angiology has established itself as an essential provider in the care of vascular patients and is internationally recognized in the clinical, teaching, and research fields.

Widespread continuing angiology specialist training

The specialty of angiology is established as an independent medical department at all university and in most cantonal hospitals. The A training clinics (University departments and some cantonal ones) offer the entire spectrum of residency training, while the B clinics offer only part of it. The former are recognized for three years of specialty training, while the latter for two. Additionally, the training offer is enriched by 8 postgraduate training private practices. Postgraduate training is supervised by the Swiss Society of Angiology (SSA) and the Swiss Institute of Medical Formation (SIMF).

Multidisciplinary approach

Modern health-care systems face numerous challenges: must adapt to aging populations, changing patient needs, increased burden of chronic-diseases, advances in technology, increased costs. In this rapidly mutating environment, and the need of a holistic approach to patients, angiology has a role to play in coordinating a multidisciplinary approach, with a strong medical basis, to the vascular patient.

Research to guide the future

In the area of vascular research, Switzerland has developed an internationally recognized expertise in all the fields of angiology including clinical, basic and translational approaches. The resulting numerous publications, participation to national and international congresses, guidelines, and as experts in various committees are proof of the high profile of Swiss angiology. This is also underlined by tight international collaborations with expert international societies such as the European Society of Vascular Medicine (ESVM), the European Society on Ultrasounds in Medicine (EFSUMB) and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) among others.