15th International Seminar of the European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC) - Research & Innovation: Shaping the Future of Palliative Care
Disponibilidad: Hay plazas
Presentation
On behalf of the host institution, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), and the European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC) at Oslo University Hospital, we are pleased to welcome you to the vibrant city of Barcelona in Spain.
The annual PRC Seminar provides a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and explore innovative approaches in palliative care. This year’s theme is:
Research & Innovation:
Shaping the Future of Palliative Care
Palliative care and patient-centred care remain cornerstones of comprehensive cancer care and are critical to improving quality of life. By integrating these principles and considering the broader role of digitalisation, we aim to advance both research and clinical practice.
The seminar will feature plenary sessions with invited keynote speakers, honorary lectures, a large number of oral presentations based on submitted abstracts, and poster presentations.
Goals
The PRC Seminar 2026 brings together researchers, clinicians, and collaborators from across Europe and beyond to share new knowledge and perspectives in palliative care.
The seminar aims to highlight the latest advances in research, strengthen collaboration and networking, and support the translation of evidence into clinical practice.
Participants
The seminar is aimed at healthcare professionals, researchers, representatives from voluntary organisations, and policy maker, while also welcoming anyone with an interest in palliative care.
Dates and venue
Tuesday 10th November 2026 from 8:00 am to 16:45 pm
Wednesday 11th Noviembre 2026 from 8:00 am to 16:15 pm
📌 In-person attendance only
🏛️ Hospital Bellvitge – Carrer de la Feixa Llarga, s/n, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona.
Program
Day 1: 10. November 2026
7:30–8:45 Registration and Poster Setup
9:00-9:20 Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Prof. Stein Kaasa | Director of PRC, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
- Prof. Barry Laird | Scientific Committee Lead, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
- Dr. Jesús González-Barboteo | Local Committee Lead, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain
- Prof. Joan Brunet | General Director, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain
- Prof. Ernest Nadal | Director of Research and Innovation, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain
9:20-9:35 Welcome lecture: Integration Of Palliative Care At ICO: A Comprehensive Cancer Centre Perspective | Jesús González-Barboteo, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain
9:35-10:45 From Low Tech To High Tech: Researching Technological Innovations For Palliative Care | Chairs: (TBA)
9:35-9:55 Technology And Palliative Care: A Changing Landscape | Christoph Ostgathe, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany
9:55-10:10 Abstract: Technical Considerations for Integrating Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures into Electronic Health Record Systems: A Practical Framework for Clinicians | Floortje van der Geest, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen (RUG), the Netherlands
10:10-10:25 Abstract: Co-designing scalable digital patient centred care in oncology: Insights from the MyPath & ESMO DC Workshop | Morena Shkodra, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
10:25-10:40 Abstract: TBA
10:45-11:30 Coffee Break | Poster Session
11:30-13:15 Innovations In Patient‑Centred Care Models | Chairs: (TBA)
11:30-11:50 Advance Care Planning And Incorporation Into The Digital Health Record | Breffni Hannon, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
11:50-12:05 Abstract: Early Supportive vs Standard Care in Phase I Cancer Trials: A Randomized Controlled Trial | Anna Casellas-Grau, Observatory of the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Spain
12:05-12:20 Abstract: Distress Trajectories in Hematologic Malignancies: Relevance for Timely Palliative Care Integration | Simone Boesch, University Teaching Hospital Feldkirch, Austria
12:20-12:35 Abstract: Indicators for Assessing the Integration of Palliative Care into Routine Cancer Care: A Scoping Review | Miguel Mateu-Sanz, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO) – L’Hospitalet, Research and Knowledge Group in Palliative Care (GRICOPAL) – IDIBELL, Spain
12:35-12:50 Abstract: Palliative care day hospital for patients with advanced cancer: a French multicentric randomized clinical trial | Carole Bouleuc, Cheffe de département Soins de Support et Soins Palliatifs de l’Institut Curie Paris, France
12:50-13:05 Abstract: Preliminary results of the MISTRAL randomized trial: structured PROM-driven interventions improve distress in outpatient oncology palliative care | Giacomo Massa, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Italy
Extra time for questions and discussion
13:15-14:45 Lunch
14:45-16:15 Advancing End‑of‑Life Care: New Research and Clinical Practice | Chairs: (TBA)
14:45-15:05 Findings From The IHOD (InHOspital Dying) Study | Pål Klepstad, St Olav University Hospital and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
15:05-15:20 Abstract: Wish to Hasten Death in the Outermost Region of the Azores: A Bioethical Perspective based on a Qualitative Study with Interviews and Focus Groups | Sandra Martins Pereira, CEEAplA, Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso, Universidade dos Açores, Portugal
15:20-15:35 Findings From The Chelsea Study | Barry Laird, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
15:35-15:50 Abstract: TBC
Extra time for questions and discussion
16:00-16:15 Short break – Leg stretch
16:15–17:15 Symptom Management In Palliative Care | (TBA)
16:15–16:35 Symptom Management In Palliative Care: Needs, Guidelines, and Digital Futures | Paul Howard, Mountbatten Hospice and St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
16:35-16:50 Abstract: Pooled analysis of three recent, large, multi-site placebo-controlled RCTs of regular, low-dose sustained morphine for the symptomatic reduction of chronic breathlessness in COPD | David Currow, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia
16:50-17:05 Abstract: Impact of Opioids on Survival and Symptom Control in Patients with Cancer Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Agnès Calsina-Berna, Catalan Institute of Oncology (GRICOPAL), Spain
17:15 Closing Remarks
19:30 Social Event
- Sant Pau Modernist Complex | Guided Tour (75 min) followed by
- Social gathering with light food and refreshments
Directions:
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, Horta-Guinardó, 08025 Barcelona
Day 2: 11. November 2026
7:30-8:20 Registration and Poster Setup
8:30-8:45 Welcome | Speaker: (TBA)
8:45-10:45 Collaborating for Clinical Impact: Advancing Patient-Centred Care Across Europe | Chairs: (TBA)
8:50-9:00 How To Implement Palliative Care Into Mainstream Cancer Care? | Stein Kaasa, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
9:00-9:08 EUnetCCC (WP8) | Josep M. Borràs, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
9:08-9:16 JANE2 (WP6) | Augusto Caraceni, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Italy
9:16-9:24 PAL-CYCLES | Jeroen Hasselaar, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
9:24-9:32 MyPath | Tonje Lundeby, Oslo University hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
9:32-9:40 INSPIRE | Matthew Maddocks, Kings College London, United Kingdom
9:40-9:48 ENACT-65 | Barry Laird, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
9:48-9:56 PREFERABLE | Anouk Hiensch, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
9:56-10:04 Quality of Life – Patient Centred Care (QoL-PCC) Cluster | TBA
10:04-10:12 EUonQoL | Katrine Rolid, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
10:15-10:45 Panel Discussion | Moderators: (TBA)
Panelist:
Josep M. Borràs, Augusto Caraceni, Jeroen Hasselaar, Tonje Lundeby, Matthew Maddocks, Barry Laird, Anouk Hiensch, Katrine Rolid and Cinzia Brunelli.
10:45-11:30 Coffee Break | Poster Session
11:30-12:15 Award Ceremony – G. W. Hanks Lecture
Chair(s): (TBA)
Award winner: Professor Irene J. Higginson
Cicely Saunders Institute and King’s College London, United Kingdom
Honorary Lecture: Insert Title (TBA)
12:15-13:45 Lunch
13:45-15:00 Advancing Practice Through Education and Implementation | (TBA)
13:45-14:05 Ethics In The Development And Implementation Of Novel Interventions In Clinical Research In Palliative Care | Sandra Martins Pereira, CEEAplA, Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso, Universidade dos Açores, Portugal
14:05-14:20 Abstract: Palliative medicine deserves its place: a European taxonomy of official recognition pathways for physician training | Carlos Centeno, ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care, University of Navarra, Spain, Spain
14:20-14:35 Education And Workforce Development | Nicoleta Mitrea, University of Transilvania and Hospice Casa Sperantei, Brașov, Romania
14:35-14:50 Abstract: Does training in spiritual care improve palliative care professionals’ self-care and quality of life? A pre-post interventional study | María Nabal-Vicuña, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova Lleida, Spain
15:00-15:20 Closing Lecture | Chairs: (TBA)
Lecture title: (TBA)
Speaker: (TBA)
15:20-16:00 Closing Remarks and Awards
-
- Best Oral Presentation
- Best Poster Presentation
16:00 Departures
Accreditation
Certificate of Attendance can be obtained from the registration platform upon request.
Scientific committee
Professor Barry Laird (Scientific Lead) | Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
Professor Emeritus Stein Kaasa | Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
Dr. Tonje Lundeby | Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Norway
Dr. Jesús González-Barboteo | Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Barcelona, Spain
Professor Sandra Martins Pereira | Fundação Gaspar Frutuoso, Universidade dos Açores, Portugal
Dr. Alberto Alonso Babarro | Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
Professor Joaquim Limonero García | Autonomous University of Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
Professor Camilla Zimmermann | Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Canada
Dr. Anthony Duffy | St Columba’s Hospice Care, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Professor Christoph Ostgathe | Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany
Professor Augusto Caraceni | Fondazione IRCCS National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
Professor Mogens Grønvold | University of Copenhagen and Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
Professor Anna Reyners | University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
Dr. Nicoleta Mitrea | University of Transilvania and Hospice Casa Sperantei, Brașov, Romania
Scientific Committee Coordination and Seminar Management
Trine Hogstvedt Gravli | Oslo University Hospital, Norway
Social Event
The social event will consist of a guided tour of the Sant Pau Modernist Complex.
Address: Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, Horta-Guinardó, 08025 Barcelona
⏱️ Duration: 75 minutos
🏛️ What you will see on the tour:
- hospital wards with period furniture
- main rooms
- exhibitions featuring historical artefacts and instruments from the period
- gardens
🍸🍽️ After the guided tour, you can enjoy a lovely cocktail.
Contact
Please contact us if you have any questions:
- For registration-related questions please contact Marta González at martagonzalezm@iconcologia.net
- For abstracts and general inquiries please contact Trine Hogstvedt at trigra@ous-hf.no
