A global gathering of compassion and innovation - Reflections from the EAPC 19th world Palliative care congress, Helsinki 2025
The EAPC 19th World Palliative Care Congress, held in Helsinki, Finland, in May 29-31, 2025, was an exceptional gathering of clinicians, researchers, educators, and allied professionals dedicated to advancing the quality and humanity of palliative and end-of-life care. As a Counselling Psychologist engaged in end-of-life care field, I was inspired by the shared commitment to compassion, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration that defines the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) community. Attending the congress provided a rich opportunity to engage with emerging global perspectives on patient care, workforce wellbeing, and the psychosocial dimensions of practice.
I was privileged to present my poster titled “Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Palliative Care Physicians’ Grief Experiences in the Hospice Context”. This qualitative study explored how physicians experience and make sense of grief following the deaths of their patients. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the research illuminated the deeply personal and often unacknowledged emotional labour inherent in palliative medicine. The findings revealed that physicians frequently internalise grief, balancing empathy with professional boundaries, and emotional regulations often learned in the job how to cope and navigate in making sense of their experiences in a medical culture that expects them to cope. Medical training has lacked addressing and preparing physicians to deal with professional grief.
The contribution of this research lies in addressing a critical gap in the literature: the lack of empirical exploration into professional grief among palliative care physicians. While the emotional needs of patients and families are central to palliative care philosophy, the psychological wellbeing of clinicians remains underrepresented. By drawing attention to the experiences of physicians, this study underscores the necessity of organisational and reflective interventions that acknowledge grief as an integral part of professional identity and resilience. Supporting clinicians in this way is vital not only for workforce sustainability but also for preserving compassionate, patient-centred care.
Three key themes form the EAPC 2025 Congress particularly resonated with my work:
Interdisciplinary integration: There was a clear movement towards closer collaboration between medical and psychosocial disciplines, recognising the value of counselling and psychological insight in team resilience and patient care.
Technological Innovation with Human Sensitivity: Advances in digital health and AI were discussed alongside the ethical imperative to maintain empathy, relational depth, and human connection.
Workforce Wellbeing as a Priority: Numerous sessions highlighted systemic approaches to supporting clinicians’ emotional health, reflecting a shift towards a more compassionate, sustainable workforce culture.
Leaving Helsinki, I was struck by the commitment in the field and gained a renewed sense of energy. The congress reaffirmed that caring for those who care must remain central to the mission of palliative care. My research adds to this dialogue by inviting reflection, empathy, and shared responsibility for the wellbeing of those who dedicate themselves to accompanying others through life’s final transitions.