The Austrian Society of Neurology (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Neurologie, ÖGN), founded in 2000, emerged from the ÖGNP (Austrian Society for Neurology and Psychiatry) and counts more than 900 members. It represents neurologists active at university and hospital level, as well as those in individual medical practices, in scientific and political matters. It promotes the synthesis of scientific progress and its practical clinical implementation, and further education.
Executive Board of the Austrian Society of Neurology From back left to front right: Christian Bsteh, Michael Ackerl, Bruno Mamoli, Gerhard Ransmayr, Reinhold Schmidt, Erich Schmutzhard,Franz Memelauer, Elisabeth Fertl, Regina Katzenschlager, Eduard Auff, Tanja Weinhart |
The ÖGN is also involved in Austria’s health planning. Neurology in Austria is strongly represented at the hospital level and in private practice. Recent years have brought major improvements in infrastructure, with a network of stroke units set up across the country (34 currently in operation, 40 planned).
The goal is to have a stroke unit accessible within 45 minutes anywhere in Austria. There are five working neurological intensive care units, and all major hospitals have neurological departments with designated beds (there are 57 neurological departments countrywide). Neuro-rehabilitation can be commenced during the acute phase of treatment, and several neurorehabilitation centers have been established to provide optimal rehabilitation programs for neurological patients.
Under-graduate and postgraduate education is an important objective of the ÖGN. The society offers postgraduate training courses and educational programs and a national examination board has been established. To serve the vital goal of CME (continuous medical education), numerous training courses and symposia are offered. Education of the public, in cooperation with interested academies, health groups and NGOs, is also regarded as an important goal.ÖGN is an active member of international neurological and medical associations such as the WFN and the EFNS and participates in European activities of the UEMS.
The ÖGN has gained much experience in supporting major international congresses in Austria such as: the European Federation of Autonomic Societies (EFAS) in 2007; the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) in 2006; the European Neurological Society (ENS) in 2005; the European Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in 2005; the European Epilepsy Congress in 2004; the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) in 2002. Therefore ÖGN will be an excellent and experienced partner for the WFN.
For further information, please contact:
Österreichische Gesellschaft für Neurologie (ÖGN)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bruno Mamoli
Skodagasse 14-16, 1080 Vienna
A-1090 Vienna/Austria
Phone: +43 1 512 8091 19
Fax: +43 1 512 8091 80
oegn@admicos.com
Austria‘s WFN delegate
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Erich Schmutzhard
Universitätsklinik für Neurologie
Anichstrasse 35
A-6020 Innsbruck/ Austria
Phone: +43/512 504-23853
Fax: +43/512 504-24243
erich.schmutzhard@i-med.ac.at