EAPC 2026: A Unifying Conference

This was the first time such a large delegation had traveled to the conference and set up a booth to provide information on end-of-life research in France, help raise its international profile, support the French researchers in attendance, and expand its network. Indeed, one of the Platform’s objectives is to encourage French researchers to publicize and publish their work abroad and to participate in European projects. It had encouraged them to submit abstracts for this conference and organized a webinar to help them succeed in their applications. In the end, French research was well represented with 6 oral presentations and 36 posters.

The Platform team itself was selected for two posters, one on mapping and trends in end-of-life research in France (2018–2025 national analysis), presented by Sophie AUPET, and the other on seven years dedicated to establishing and supporting a multidisciplinary community of researchers aiming to strengthen research on end-of-life care and palliative care, presented by Aurore PERNIN. 

The Platform’s booth served as a hub for researchers to network and explore new collaborations. The conference also provided an opportunity to announce the launch of a directory dedicated to international researchers who wish to establish collaborations with French researchers, and to encourage them to register.

The team forged numerous connections, notably with representatives from the Atlantes Observatory at the University of Navarra in Spain, Japanese researchers, and members of the German Association for Palliative Care Medicine, who showed great interest in the tools developed by the Platform to facilitate networking among researchers. Certain thematic sessions, for example, provided insights into interesting methodological aspects of European projects that could benefit network members.

The announcement of the successful application by the Platform and its key partners (SFAP¹and the Interdisciplinary Research Program on the End of Life²) for organizing the 22nd EAPC Congress in France was a moving experience, reflecting the success of a wonderful collective effort. At the booth dedicated to this upcoming event, many visitors expressed their enthusiasm for it being held in Lyon from May 11 to 13, 2028.

"It was a particularly friendly and unifying congress. We greatly appreciated the scientific richness, as well as the quality of the hospitality and organization," emphasizes Aurore PERNIN, head of the Platform. The team will also have a booth next year at the 21st EAPC Congress in Glasgow, while looking forward to hosting the 22nd edition in Lyon.

1. French Society for Support and Palliative Care
2. The End-of-Life Research Program (PRI Fin de vie) is led by the Health Research Programs Agency, which is part of INSERM. Its director, Clément CORMI, accompanied the Platform team at this conference