The EU PAL-COPD consortium was pleased to contribute to the EAPC 2026 World Congress, held in Prague from 14 to 16 May 2026. The congress brought together researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals and patient representatives from across the world to exchange knowledge and advance palliative care research and practice.
Throughout the event, EU PAL-COPD partners contributed to discussions on integrating palliative care into respiratory care, implementation challenges in international research, ethics processes, patient-centred approaches and psychosocial support for people living with COPD.
A key highlight was the thematic session “Integrating palliative care into respiratory care: Challenges, innovations, and European collaboration”, featuring contributions from Julie Stevens, Nancy Preston and Agnes Csikos. Reflecting on the discussions, Julie Stevens highlighted several important themes:
Attention was given throughout the conference to inequities in care. The EU PAL-COPD session also reflected on the impact of inequities, as we see that the populations of patients with COPD often come from situations of socioeconomic deprivation that affect their health literacy, symptom burden, and wellbeing.
The themed session asked the important question to Agnes, Nancy, and me of how we will determine "success" in our trial. There are several layers to this, the discussion showed. We want to achieve the outcome that patients are able to receive care in their preferred place, and have a plan ready with the input of palliative care's holistic approach, to help avoid the cycle of recurring readmissions. We also want to make sure we fully understand what works and what doesn't in each country and site, and why: the process evaluation is therefore an equally valuable part of the trial.
This conference offered space to reflect on the involvement of the community and on patient and public involvement. At the world café session on Saturday, we had the chance to sit down and talk to patient representatives about how we can help each other in research and beyond. Patient representatives also want to know what they can do for us! A recurring quote from this conference highlighted it: "Nothing about us, without us."
Julie Stevens, VUB
EU PAL-COPD research also generated interest among conference participants. Laure Dombrecht reflected on the response to the presentation of the RCT results:
Many people were excited to hear about the results of the RCT, and that many people experience the same issues of palliative care in people with COPD being introduced too late, and mostly focussing on the physical symptoms rather than psychosocial symptoms. Which is exactly what we are experiencing right now in our intervention hospital.
Laure Dombrecht, UGENT
The congress also offered an opportunity to reflect on the practical realities of setting up international and cross-cultural clinical research. Didar Karadag Akkaya, whose poster focused specifically on UK ethics processes, noted:
The presentation was about recognising the extensive “behind-the-scenes” processes that are usually involved in setting up large international and cross-cultural clinical studies. Each study must navigate the healthcare, regulatory, and administrative systems in which it is embedded. These contextual factors are important to consider when preparing grant applications, planning implementation, and estimating realistic timelines for clinical trials and collaborative research projects.
Successful international research depends not only on scientific collaboration, but also on understanding and navigating the local systems in which studies are implemented, and plan appropriately and in a timely manner for potential setbacks.
Didar Karadag Akkaya, ULANC
The European Association for Palliative Care, a valued partner in the EU PAL-COPD consortium, provided an inspiring platform for dialogue, collaboration and exchange. Reflecting on the congress, Patricia White shared:
What an absolute pleasure to have been part of this year's EAPC World Congress in Prague. The venue, organising team, scientific committee, volunteers and enthusiastic delegates combined to create an inspiring few days together. I'm already looking forward to Glasgow in 2027!
Patricia White, EAPC
Participation in EAPC 2026 reinforced the importance of collaboration across disciplines, countries and stakeholder groups to improve palliative care for people living with advanced respiratory diseases. The discussions and feedback gathered during the congress will continue to support EU PAL-COPD’s work towards more holistic, equitable and patient-centred care approaches.
