American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine State of the Science in Hospice and Palliative Care Research Symposium - Project Summary In response to the growing number of people living with serious and life threatening illness, and the need to enhance the evidence base to improve clinical care, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is convening the third State of the Science (SOTS) in Hospice and Palliative Care Research Symposium on March 2-3, 2026 in San Diego, CA. High quality clinical practice, supported by science, for people living with serious illness (SI) across the lifespan, especially the rising number of older adults, is critical. The number of Americans living with SI is increasing, including those with a combination of frailty, progressive physical and/or cognitive disabilities, multiple chronic illnesses, functional limitations,1 cancer, and children with illnesses that benefit from palliative care. The field of palliative care is uniquely positioned to address the needs and improve care for all people living with SI. Robust research and expertly trained scientists are needed to address critical knowledge gaps, which include best practices in promoting access, caregiving, and research methodology.2 The SOTS research symposium seeks to address the trans- NIH goal to support palliative care science across the lifespan3 by bringing together palliative care scientists from multiple disciplines representing medicine, nursing, social work, pharmacy, chaplaincy, rehabilitation therapy, psychology, health sciences, and others to facilitate research dissemination, mentorship, career development, and research collaboration to inform and address issues related to progression and prognosis of disease and disability. Target audience includes interdisciplinary researchers across career stages. The SOTS Planning Committee, made up of volunteers who are considered experts in their field, provide oversight of the planning and implantation and ensure scientific rigor, and will prepare a peer-reviewed report summarizing presentations and panel discussions at the research symposium. The report will examine scientific content and methods, highlight research gaps, provide recommendations for future research, and inform 2027 SOTS planning. The SOTS will be immediately followed by AAHPM's Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care, co-hosted by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. This strategic scheduling makes it easier for researchers and practitioners to attend both events, reducing costs and travel time.
