Welcome to the Joint Annual Meeting 2024

Dear Members,
Dear Colleagues,

It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome you to the picturesque town of Interlaken for the Joint Annual Meeting of the Swiss Society of Neurosurgery (SSNS) and the Swiss Society of Neuroradiology (SSNR), along with the Association of Neurosurgical Nursing Staff Switzerland. This gathering marks a significant milestone as we explore the pivotal theme of "Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization: Applications to Neurosurgery & Neuroradiology".

Since November 2022, the rapid evolution of information technologies, particularly artificial intelligence exemplified by tools like ChatGPT, has significantly impacted our professional and personal lives.These advancements present not only extraordinary potential but also notable challenges.

As professionals dedicated to the intricacies of the human nervous system and committed to the highest standards of patient care, we find ourselves at the vanguard of adopting and shaping these emerging technologies. Our collective expertise positions us uniquely to contribute to the development, evaluation, and integration of digital tools into our practices, ensuring they enhance our capabilities responsibly and effectively.

This year's meeting is designed to delve deeply into the critical aspects of artificial intelligence in our field. We will begin by setting the stage with discussions on vision and purpose, moving into pragmatic topics such as data sourcing, collection, and sharing. We aim to foster a thorough understanding that the quality and interpretation of data are paramount in achieving reliable outcomes in AI applications.

Our sessions will also cover how these digital tools can aid in making better clinical decisions and improving the precision of our interventions. We will explore how patient care can be optimized through these innovations and conclude with a reflection on the recent shifts in our professional practices.

Moreover, we are pleased to host an industrial exhibition where our partners and sponsors will showcase their latest advancements and engage in meaningful exchanges that promise to spark new ideas and opportunities.

As we convene today, let us embrace the dialogue and collaborations that will unfold. We are excited to advance our knowledge and skills together, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of technological integration in healthcare.

Thank you for joining us at this pivotal event. We look forward to an inspiring and fruitful meeting that promises not only to enhance our professional acumen but also to strengthen our community.

Welcome to Interlaken and let us make this Joint Annual Meeting a memorable and impactful experience.

On behalf of the Societies and the Scientific Committee

Prof. Dr. med. Javier Fandino     - President SSNS
Prof. Dr. med. Isabel Wanke       - President SSNR,  Co-Congress President
Prof. Dr. med. Philippe Bijlenga  - Co-Congress President