TIF WEBINAR SERIES 2026 | Bridging the Communication Gap in Haemoglobinopathy Care
Effective communication sits at the heart of quality healthcare yet for patients living with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, navigating medical consultations can feel overwhelming, intimidating, or even disempowering.
This year, the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) launches a transformative quarterly webinar series designed to strengthen dialogue between patients, families, and healthcare providers across the global haemoglobinopathy community. Through practical tools, lived experience, and expert insights, we aim to build a culture of partnership where every voice matters.
Series Overview
Under the skilled moderation of Mr. Frank Somma, each 90-minute session brings together clinicians, communication specialists, and patient advocates to explore practical strategies for more effective, empathetic, and collaborative care. All webinars are delivered in English and archived on TIFLIX for on-demand access.
| Quarter | Date | Title | Focus |
| Q1 | 27 March 2026 | “Speaking Up, Being Heard” | Empowering patients to navigate medical consultations with confidence |
| Q2 | 30 June 2026 | “Shared Decisions, Better Outcomes” | Navigating complex treatment choices together, including gene therapy and novel agents |
| Q3 | September 2026 | “Listening with Empathy” | Building clinician skills for compassionate communication and cultural humility |
| Q4 | November 2026 | “Voices That Shape Policy” | Translating lived experience into advocacy impact at national and global levels |
Each session features interactive elements, real-world case scenarios, and actionable resources, including multilingual patient handouts and clinician checklists to ensure insights translate into practice.
UPCOMING: Q3 WEBINAR
“Listening with Empathy: Communication Skills for Clinicians & Patients/Parents”
Date: Friday, 2 October 2026
Time: 19:00–20:30 EEST (Cyprus time)
Duration: 90 minutes
Platform: Zoom
Language: English
The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) invites you to the third instalment of the TIF Webinar Series 2026, ‘Bridging the Communication Gap in Haemoglobinopathy Care’.
Effective communication is central to high-quality, patient-centred care. For people living with thalassaemia or sickle cell disease—and for their parents, families, and caregivers—feeling listened to and understood can help build trust, encourage open dialogue, and support greater participation in decisions about treatment and care.
Moderated by Frank Somma, this interactive session will bring together clinical and patient perspectives to examine how empathetic communication can strengthen relationships between healthcare professionals, patients, and families.
What We’ll Explore
✓ Active listening and understanding patients’ concerns, priorities, and experiences
✓ Navigating sensitive or difficult conversations with compassion
✓ Respecting cultural differences and communicating across diverse backgrounds
✓ Building trust between patients, families, and healthcare teams
✓ Helping patients and families feel heard, respected, and understood
Participants will also have the opportunity to join a live Q&A and put their questions directly to the panel.
Who Should Attend?
- People living with thalassaemia or sickle cell disease
- Parents, caregivers, and family members
- Haematologists, paediatricians, nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals
- Patient organisation representatives and advocates
- Medical, nursing, and psychology students and trainees
How to Participate
- Register through the Zoom registration page:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M3jY1HoUSKaF5a20M2b0-g - Receive your confirmation and joining details by email.
- Join the live webinar on 2 October 2026.
Participation is open to all.
Join us for a meaningful conversation about listening with empathy—and creating healthcare experiences in which every person feels heard.
PREVIOUS WEBINARS
Catch up on the earlier episodes of the TIF Webinar Series 2026. Recordings are available through TIFLIX.
Episode 2: “Shared Decisions, Better Outcomes”
Collaborative Care in Thalassaemia & Sickle Cell Disease
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Time: 19:00 EEST (Cyprus time) | 12:00 New York time
Duration: 90 minutes
Platform: Zoom
Language: English
This session explored how patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can work together to make informed, person-centred decisions about treatment and care.
Episode 1: “Speaking Up, Being Heard”
How Patients Can Navigate Medical Consultations
Date: Thursday, 27 March 2026
Time: 15:00–16:30 Athens (UTC+2) | 09:00–10:30 New York | 13:00–14:30 London
Duration: 90 minutes
Language: English (live captioning available)
Platform: Zoom Webinar
This session shared practical approaches to preparing for medical consultations, communicating concerns, asking questions, and participating confidently in conversations about care.
Stay Connected
Questions? Contact thalassaemia-rm@thalassaemia.org.cy
Watch past webinars: https://tiflix.tv/
Organised by the Thalassaemia International Federation with support from our global network of member organisations. This initiative aligns with TIF’s Strategic Plan 2025–2027: “Leaving No One Behind.”
This educational initiative is made possible through the generous support of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Agios Pharmaceuticals, and Avanzanite Bioscience.
