The workshop “Developing Professional Coping in Palliative Care: A Reflective Leadership Workshop” was facilitated by Maria Arantzamendi, with the support of co-facilitator Carlos Centeno. The session focused on the transformative journey of palliative care professionals and explored how coping develops through reflection, emotional awareness, vulnerability, and professional growth. Participants were invited to reflect on different stages of professional coping, from commencing in palliative care and recognising one’s own vulnerability to proactively managing emotions, developing an integrative approach, and grounding oneself in practice.
A central part of the workshop encouraged participants to examine where they currently stand in their own coping journey, what helps them move forward, and what prevents further growth. Through individual reflection and group discussion, the session addressed how professionals can consolidate helpful coping strategies, reduce unhelpful patterns, enhance leadership behaviours, and define concrete actions for supporting both themselves and their teams. The workshop highlighted that palliative care professionals are not immune to suffering, but that learning from suffering can become a source of professional growth, wisdom, resilience, and compassionate leadership.
