Interdisciplinary medical continuing professional development on placebo/nocebo, in collaboration with the MedAlumni UZH Network
Datum
28. Oktober 2026
Uhrzeit
18.00 – 19.30
Adresse
Brunnenhofsaal
Neuweg 12
8125 Zollikerberg
The Power of Words in Medicine
Words, expectations and the relationship between healthcare professionals and patients can enhance therapeutic effects – but they can also trigger or exacerbate symptoms. Placebo and nocebo effects are often an unnoticed part of our everyday medical practice.
At this interdisciplinary themed evening, we will explore the scientific foundations, the implications for clinical practice, and psychological, psychiatric and ethical perspectives.
The themed evening is organised jointly by Zollikerberg Hospital and medAlumni UZH.
The highlight of the evening will be a presentation by PD Dr. phil. Cosima Locher, a recognised expert in placebo and nocebo research. She will outline what we currently know scientifically about these effects, how this knowledge can be applied in everyday clinical practice, and what ethical questions arise as a result.
The themed evening is organised jointly by Zollikerberg Hospital and medAlumni UZH.
MedAlumni UZH brings together graduates and other members of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zurich, creating an interdisciplinary network for exchange and networking. You can find out more about the network and the benefits of membership on the medAlumni website.
Programme
- 6.00 pm | Welcome and introduction
- 6.05 pm | Welcome by co-organiser PD Dr Sima Djalali, Senior Consultant, Interdisciplinary Emergency Centre and Internal Medicine, A&E, and Prof. Dr Yvonne Achermann, Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine and President of medAlumni UZH
- 6.10 pm | Keynote lecture ‘Placebo/Nocebo – The “Doctor” as a Drug and the Power of Effects’
PD Dr Cosima Locher, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, co-author of the book ‘The Nocebo Effect – When Words Make You Sick’ - 7.00 pm | ‘Pros and cons of placebo (nocebo) use from a psychological/psychiatric perspective’
Dr Ruedi Schweizer, Medical Director, Zollikerberg Centre for Mental Health, and Dr Jean-Daniel Strub, Director of the Neumünster Institute, Head of Ethics - 7.20 pm | Panel discussion with questions from the audience, featuring PD Dr Cosima Locher, Dr Ruedi Schweizer and Dr Jean-Daniel Strub
- 7.30 pm | Cocktail reception
Registration
You may choose to attend in person or via Zoom. Please register in advance.
Venue
The doctors' training course will take place in the Brunnenhofsaal, Neuweg 12, 8125 Zollikerberg. The route to the Brunnenhofsaal is signposted from the main entrance to Zollikerberg Hospital and the Forchbahn stop at Zollikerberg Hospital.