19 May 2026
Bilbao
The University of Deusto has hosted the 31st Humanising Healthcare Conference, held under the theme “Art, Health and Humanisation”, which aims to explore the role of art as a therapeutic medium, a narrative resource and a means of support in processes of illness, suffering and end of life. This event, organised by the Camillian Centre for Health Humanisation, the Pía Aguirreche Foundation and the University of Deusto, and supported by the platform “Para Ti, Paliativos” (paratipaliaticos.org), brings together healthcare professionals, social stakeholders, teaching staff and individuals committed to care centred on dignity and holistic support.
During the opening session, which also featured José Galíndez, President of the Pía Aguirreche Foundation, and José Carlos Bermejo, Director General of the Centre for Health Humanisation, the Rector of Deusto, Juan José Etxeberria, stressed that for the University, humanisation is not an abstract concept but a “cross-cutting principle”, particularly relevant in its Faculty of Health Sciences, which aims to train professionals who combine the highest scientific excellence with deep human values.
In a context of rapid advances in artificial intelligence and automation, the Rector reflected on the risk of displacing the human dimension in healthcare practice. Citing Dr Warner Slack, who stated that “if a machine can replace a healthcare professional, that professional deserves to be replaced”, he noted that the challenge is not to reject technological progress, but to understand its appropriate role. “Technology is a means, but the end is always the person. We must never lose the human dimension of care,” he stressed.
Cutting-edge training in palliative care
Referring to the programme of the conference, the Rector highlighted that it represents a true pathway of support that understands the person as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual being, particularly in end-of-life care. And in that context, he noted that death challenges healthcare professionals to rethink their relationship with it, accepting it as part of life rather than as a professional failure. In this regard, he argued that palliative care has restored medicine to its purest essence: an unconditional commitment to the person in their final stage of life.
In his view, much remains to be done, including improving training, expanding specialist teams and recognising palliative care as the medical specialty it already is in much of Europe. In this regard, he noted that Deusto has decided not to wait, and that its Faculty of Health Sciences has made Palliative Care a compulsory subject in the Medicine degree programme. “It is a firm decision taken by only half of the faculties in our country. At Deusto, we choose to train professionals who are committed to caring for people, especially when they are most vulnerable,” he stressed, recalling the motto of the recent European Day of Palliative Care: “It’s about living, not just dying.” Full speech.
Art as balm and therapy
Following the opening session, the renowned philosopher, theologian and professor at Ramon Llull University, Francesc Torralba, delivered the lecture “Art as spiritual balm”, moderated by palliative care physician and trustee of the Pía Aguirreche Foundation, Dr Jacinto Bátiz.
The morning session also included a roundtable on practical experiences of the use of art in healthcare settings. The session featured Sandra López (family physician at OSI Barakaldo-Sestao), who explored narrative medicine as part of the art of caring, and Silvia Fernández, president and founder of the organisation Arte Paliativo, focused on accompaniment through artistic expression.
The programme was completed with the presentation of the digital platform “Para ti, Paliativos” by Sofía Vallejo, Director of the Pía Aguirreche Foundation; a lecture by Juan Alberto García de Cubas, President and Director of the Fundación Cultura en Vena, on “Art, health and humanisation”; the Humanizar Awards ceremony; and several workshops focused on the assessment and support of the spiritual dimension in end-of-life care.
