At the Amsterdam Palliative Care Symposium, Yvonne Weeseman was awarded the 2026 Annual Award for Palliative Care Research. This award is presented annually to the best Dutch scientific article in the field of palliative care and end-of-life care. Yvonne received the prize for her article: “Integration of experiences of contingency in patients with advanced cancer supported by a multimodal art approach”
About the Study
Yvonne and her colleagues describe a multimodal intervention (ISOS) in which patients with advanced cancer are supported through creative and narrative methods to integrate disruptive and challenging experiences into their life story. Two case studies illustrate how participants experienced this approach.
Through reflection, co-creation with a professional artist, and the creation of tangible artworks, patients could express feelings that are difficult to put into words and find new meaning and perspectives—often focusing on connection with loved ones and leaving a personal legacy.
Significance of the Award
Yvonne emphasizes that the award highlights that palliative care research goes beyond symptom management. Her transdisciplinary work, combining oncology, spiritual care, and the arts, can inspire researchers and clinicians to develop interventions that support meaning-making, communication, and quality of life alongside medical treatment.
Personal Impact
On a personal level, receiving this award is a meaningful recognition for Yvonne: making space for patients’ stories, values, and humanity in the palliative phase. It strengthens her motivation to further develop interventions like ISOS, investigate for whom it works best, and explore how patients’ families and social networks can also be better supported.