Austrian Society for Neurology

The Austrian Society of Neurology, founded in 2000, emerged from the ÖGNP (Austrian Society for Neurology and Psychiatry) and counts more than 900 associates. It represents neurologists lively at university and hospital level, as well as those in single medical practices, in scientific and political problems. It promotes the synthesis of scientific growth and its practical clinical implementation, and further teaching. The ÖGN is also involved in Austria’s health planning. Neurology in Austria is powerfully represented at the hospital level and in private practice. Recent years have brought main improvements in structure, with a network of stroke units set up across the country (34 currently in operation, 40 planned).

The objective is to have a stroke unit accessible within 45 minutes everyplace in Austria. There are five working neurological concentrated care units, and all major hospitals have neurological departments with designated beds (there are 57 neurological sections countrywide). Neuro-rehabilitation can be launched during the acute phase of treatment, and numerous neurorehabilitation centers have been established to provide optimal rehabilitation programs for neurological patients. Under-graduate and postgraduate learning 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 objective of CME (continuous medical education), numerous training courses and symposia are offered. Tutoring of the public, in collaboration with interested academies, health groups and NGOs, is also regarded as an important goal. ÖGN is a lively 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 grown much experience in supporting main international congresses in Austria as: the European Federation of Autonomic Societies in 2007; the European Association of Neuro-Oncology in 2006; the European Neurological Society in 2005; the European Congress of the European Committee for Action and Research in Multiple Sclerosis in 2005; the European Epilepsy Congress in 2004; the ECU Federation of Medicine Societies in 2002. Therefore ÖGN will be an outstanding and practiced partner for the WFN.