Innovative research, family perspectives and international collaboration come together at the EAPC World Congress 2026. Discover the sessions most relevant for professionals in paediatric palliative care.
From 14 to 16 May 2026, the EAPC World Congress will take place in Prague, Czech Republic. During this international gathering, healthcare professionals, researchers and advocates from across the world come together to share knowledge, explore new research and strengthen collaboration in palliative care.
For professionals working in paediatric palliative care, the congress offers a range of presentations, research sessions and meetings that focus specifically on improving care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Below is an overview of sessions that are particularly relevant to paediatric palliative care.
Paediatric Oral Abstract Presentations
14 May 2026 — 11:15–12:45 | Room C2
This session presents current international research in paediatric palliative care. Topics include innovations in symptom management, evaluation of care quality and new digital tools supporting home-based care.
Presentations include:
- Planning Together: Co-developing parent-friendly paediatric palliative care symptom management plans
- Implementation of a Novel Parent-Reported Experience Measure to Evaluate Care Quality in a Paediatric Palliative Home Care Service
- Reductions in regional end-of-life resource utilization following development of a specialist pediatric palliative care program
- The TelPa_kids project: Evaluation of the PalliDoc Mobile App in paediatric palliative home care in Germany
- Tracking Global Progress in Children’s Palliative Care Research from 2020–2025: A Mapping Review
These presentations highlight emerging approaches to improving the experiences of families and strengthening paediatric palliative care services worldwide.
Thematic Session
Towards Gold-Standard Methods in Paediatric Palliative Care Research
14 May 2026 — 14:15–15:45
This thematic session explores how research in paediatric palliative care can be strengthened through the development of robust and collaborative research methods.
Speakers will discuss the opportunities and challenges of conducting high-quality research in paediatric palliative care, including interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical considerations and strategies to improve the evidence base for children and young people with serious illness.
The session highlights the importance of developing shared research approaches that can support innovation, improve clinical practice and ultimately enhance care for children and their families.
Plenary Session
Palliative care research for children, adolescents and their families.
Speaker: Dr. Joanne Wolfe
15 May 2026 — 09:00–10:30 | Hall A
This plenary session explores the current landscape of research in paediatric palliative care and reflects on the priorities needed to improve care for children, adolescents and their families. Dr. Joanne Wolfe, an internationally recognised leader in paediatric palliative care research, will discuss advances in evidence-based care and the importance of integrating research into clinical practice.
Paediatric Oral Abstract Presentations
15 May 2026 — 11:15–12:45 | Room C3
A second paediatric research session focuses on family experiences, cultural perspectives and tools that support earlier identification of children who may benefit from palliative care.
Presentations include:
- Listening beyond the silence: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of South Asian Families’ Experiences of Children’s Palliative Care in the UK
- Paediatric adaptation of the HexCom tool to assess paediatric palliative care complexity
- ‘Be Prepared for Anything’: Navigating Uncertainty and Sustaining Caregivers’ Agency in Pediatric Palliative Care
- Parents’ Experiences, Challenges and Needs in Paediatric Palliative Care
- Clinical variable selection for a European early detection system in pediatric palliative care
Together, these studies highlight the complexity of paediatric palliative care and the importance of understanding both clinical and family perspectives.
Education Session
Transforming Clinician Practice Through Interactive Palliative Care Education: Lessons from the EPEC Model
Speaker: Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf
15 May 2026 — 14:15–15:45
This session focuses on education and professional development in palliative care. Drawing on the internationally recognised EPEC (Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care) model, Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf will explore how interactive training can strengthen clinicians’ confidence and improve the quality of palliative care practice.
Open Meeting
EAPC Reference Group on Palliative Care for Children and Young People
Shaping the Future of Children’s Palliative Care Through (not only) European Collaboration
16 May 2026 — 08:00–08:45 | Room C1
This open meeting offers an opportunity to connect with the EAPC Reference Group on Palliative Care for Children and Young People. The session focuses on strengthening collaboration across countries and disciplines, with the shared goal of advancing children’s palliative care worldwide.
Participants can learn about ongoing initiatives, research priorities and ways to contribute to international collaboration.
Supported Session
Current scientific advances in pediatric palliative care: challenging care settings, perinatal palliative care and sedation
16 May 2026 — 09:00–10:30 | Room D9
This supported session highlights recent scientific developments in paediatric palliative care. Topics include care in complex clinical settings, developments in perinatal palliative care, and the role of sedation in symptom management.
The session aims to bring together new research findings and practical insights that can support clinicians caring for children with serious illness.
Poster Presentations
In addition to the sessions highlighted above, the congress poster programme includes a number of presentations focusing on paediatric and perinatal palliative care.
These posters reflect the growing international research activity in this field and present new insights into clinical practice, family experiences, service development and innovative approaches to supporting children with serious illness and their families.
Attending the EAPC World Congress
The EAPC World Congress provides a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the globe who are working to improve palliative care. For professionals in paediatric palliative care, the programme includes multiple sessions that explore research, clinical practice, family experiences and international collaboration.
More information about the congress programme can be found on the EAPC World Congress 2026 website.