PEOF 2026: Building the Future of Patient Engagement

By guest contributor, Anna Revilla, EMSP Community Coordinator.

From 2–4 June 2026, I had the opportunity to attend the Patient Engagement Open Forum (PEOF) in Sevilla. 

PEOF is a dynamic patient-led community co-organised by PFMD, EPF and EUPATI. This year’s conference focused on building sustainable and meaningful patient engagement in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. The event provided an excellent opportunity to connect and align with patient advocates and healthcare stakeholders, engage with policymakers and health innovation experts, and participate in interactive, hands-on workshops. 

I attended the event on behalf of the EPF Youth Group, representing the perspectives of young patients, including those living with MS, NMOSD and MOGAD, and contributing to discussions on the future of patient engagement. 

Personally, it was inspiring to learn about examples of patient partnerships, both within Europe and beyond. The conference offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on where we currently stand in patient engagement, where we are heading, and the opportunities that lie ahead for patient organisations. 

The event offered different learning paths, allowing participants to focus on the topics most relevant to their interests and work. I chose to follow the path on “Strengthening Community Leadership in Health Systems”, where we explored the EUPATI model, discussed the challenges faced by underserved and neglected populations around the world and examined how multidisciplinary teamwork and co-creation can help build better care and strengthen health governance. 

One concept that really stayed with me was presented by diabetes advocates, who shared the framework of the Four Dialects. In many ways, this model can also be applied to MS, NMOSD and MOGAD communities: 

• Lived: the voices of people living with the diagnosis. 

• Loved: the caring chorus of family members, friends and peer mentors. 

• Learned: the expertise of researchers and clinicians who study and treat these conditions. 

• Laboured: the dedication of professionals working in care delivery, policy and industry. 

These four perspectives capture the full spectrum of condition management and remind us that equity must be the thread that binds them together and guides how we value and elevate each voice. 

Another highlight was attending the launch of the EPF Barometer, as well as the policy discussion featuring Mary Butler, Ireland’s Minister of State for Mental Health, and Javier Padilla, Spain’s Secretary of State for Health. Their reflections highlighted the importance of meaningful patient involvement in the development of healthcare policies and systems. 

Overall, PEOF 2026 was a fantastic experience. It was inspiring to come together as a community, share ideas, build new connections and continue creating synergies to achieve a shared goal: to make the healthcare ecosystem more inclusive, collaborative and patient-centred.

Pedro Carrascal, EMSP Former President, and Anna Revilla, EMSP Community Coordinator