The 4th and 5th Annual U.S. World Hospice and Palliative Care Day conferences: Unifying the global palliative care community Journal Article
| Authors: | Rosa, W. E.; Pandey, S.; Epstein, A. S.; Blackler, L.; Koranteng, L. A.; Greenfield, D.; Yoon, P.; Blinderman, C. D.; Nelson, J. E.; Breitbart, W. S. |
| Article Title: | The 4th and 5th Annual U.S. World Hospice and Palliative Care Day conferences: Unifying the global palliative care community |
| Abstract: | Objectives. On October 3-4, 2023 and September 30-October 1, 2024, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Supportive Care Service hosted the 4th and 5th Annual U.S. Celebration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) conferences, respectively. This article describes both events and lessons learned in anticipation of the 6th annual conference to be held October 6-7, 2025. Methods. The 4th and 5th annual events, conference planning team reflection, and attendee evaluation responses are summarized. Results. Since 2020, the conference has attracted attendees from around the world. Two primary aims continue to guide the event: community building and wisdom sharing at the intersection of art and science. Both the 2023 and 2024 events consisted of 13 unique interactive sessions addressing diverse hospice and palliative care topics delivered by interprofessional experts in palliative care (43 faculty in 2023 and 54 in 2024). Multidisciplinary registrants more than doubled from 764 in 43 countries (2023) to 1678 in 87 countries (2024). Complimentary registration for colleagues in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), students and trainees, and individuals experiencing financial hardship remains a cornerstone of inclusion and equitable access to the event. Significance of results. The U.S. WHPCD Conference provides a virtual platform to disseminate high-quality science, honor both clinician and patient and caregiver experiences, and celebrate hospice and palliative care delivery during substantial local and global change across practice and policy domains. We remain committed to ensuring an internationally relevant, culturally diverse, and multidisciplinary and interprofessional agenda that will draw increased participation worldwide during future annual events. © The Author(s), 2025. |
| Keywords: | united states; palliative care; palliative therapy; cancer center; community; caregiver; hospice; supportive care; anticipation; global change; participation; clinician; human; article; middle income country; global palliative care; financial stress; virtual conference; world hospice and palliative care day |
| Journal Title: | Palliative and Supportive Care |
| Volume: | 23 |
| ISSN: | 1478-9515 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Date Published: | 2025-01-01 |
| Start Page: | e133 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1017/s1478951525100291 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC12313102 |
| PUBMED: | 40676720 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PubMed record and PDF. Corresponding MSK author is Craig D. Blinderman -- Source: Scopus |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
Related MSK Work