What if those who work alongside our patients
every day were also the best placed to imagine
how to improve their experience?
PEPIT (Patient Experience Project & Initiative Team) is an internal call for projects launched at Institut Jules Bordet to encourage staff to develop concrete initiatives aimed at improving the well-being and experience of patients.
The goal is to make the care journey more than just a treatment-focused process, by also focusing on the person experiencing it — their needs, emotions, comfort and dignity.
For this first edition, 12 projects have been selected and will receive dedicated funding to turn their ideas into reality.
The selected initiatives are as diverse as the needs they address: improving spaces, art, music, hypnosis, virtual reality, support groups, conferences and light therapy.
They all share the same ambition: to make a tangible difference to patients’ daily lives, sometimes through small changes that can have a big impact.
PEPIT is part of a long-term approach: the projects will receive support over five years, enabling them to grow and allowing their impact to be measured over time.
Transforming the B13 lounge: a flexible space to breathe
Transforming the B13 lounge into a welcoming and flexible space where patients can step away from their rooms and enjoy different moments of rest and well-being. A relaxation area, adapted physical activity, a herbal tea corner and creative workshops are just some of the options designed to meet different needs and provide patients with a place to recharge during their hospital stay.
Project leads: B13 nurses (Emy Degrave, Alexia Gil), B13 physicians (Julie Castiaux, Tom Abrassart), BEIS nurse (Fiorella Sapienza) and physiotherapist (Benjamin Depoorter).
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Enhancing the B19 floor with art and well-being
This project aims to create an artistic journey throughout the corridors, waiting room and family room of B19. The artworks will be created with the participation of an art teacher and their fifth-year secondary school students. A way of bringing art into the care environment and contributing to a more pleasant setting for patients and their loved ones.
Project leads: Dr Laurence Buisseret and Ms Andréa Ferreira Silva.
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À Fleur de Corps: the body as a living space
Cancer and its treatments can profoundly affect the way patients relate to their bodies. “À Fleur de Corps” offers an interdisciplinary approach combining creative workshops and symbolic tattoos, supporting patients as they reconnect with and reclaim their bodies during and after treatment.
Project lead: Angelica Spinard, psychologist, visual artist, therapeutic tattoo artist and founder of Pensée Sauvage.
Workshop date: 20 October 2026
Registration: À Fleur du Corps — manifester mon intérêt / mijn interesse uiten
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Time for Me-time!
In hospital, maintaining privacy can sometimes be challenging. The “Time for Me-time!” project allows inpatients to simply indicate that they would like some time to themselves, by placing a “Me-Time” sign on their bedroom door. A simple initiative designed to help patients regain a sense of privacy and have greater control over their environment during their hospital stay.
Project leads: Department of Hematology
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Human-centred and therapeutic virtual reality
Virtual reality can be a complementary tool to support patients during certain medical procedures. This project will make virtual reality headsets available in the B18-B19 units, offering an immersive experience that may help reduce anxiety and the perception of pain during certain procedures.
Project leads: B18-B19 care teams
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Beyond Survival: Humanising the Intensive Care Experience
A stay in intensive care is a unique and challenging stage in a patient’s care journey. This project aims to enhance the experience through a range of initiatives designed to promote comfort and well-being, including massage chairs, virtual reality headsets, Snoezelen equipment and post-intensive care consultations. The goal is to provide patients with better support before, during and after their stay in intensive care.
Project leads: Nursing team
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Immersive sound-based clinical hypnosis
Clinical hypnosis can be used as a complementary tool to support patients during certain medical procedures. This project involves creating immersive sound-based hypnosis recordings, accessible through standalone audio players. They will allow patients to benefit from personalised support during specific moments of their care journey.
Project leads: Yves Libert, Head of the Clinical Psychology Department; Antoine Van Lierde, psychologist; and other members of the psycho-oncology team who incorporate hypnosis into their clinical practice.
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Café Causette for patients who have undergone laryngectomy
After a laryngectomy, patients may face many changes in their daily lives and in the way they communicate. “Café Causette” brings together patients who have undergone a laryngectomy in a welcoming and friendly setting, with the aim of encouraging conversation, reducing isolation, and sharing experiences, advice and practical resources.
Project leads: Speech Therapy Department
Workshop date: 22 October 2026
Registration: patients.logopedie.bordet@hubruxelles.be
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A Musical Pause at the Day Hospital
What if music could offer a welcome break from the daily routine of treatment?
In partnership with the non-profit organisation Interludes, professional musicians will meet with patients at the Day Hospital. Personalised musical moments can be offered in patients’ rooms or in the waiting area.
An initiative designed to create a moment of relaxation and connection at the heart of the care journey.
Project leads: Laura Polastro, oncologist; Allal Hayet, Head Nurse at the Day Hospital; Pascale Heller, President of the non-profit organisation Interludes; and professional musicians.
Workshop date: To be announced.
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Conference by Dr C. Brami based on the book “Vivre avec, Vivre après”
This conference, open to all, will draw on the book “Vivre avec, Vivre après”, which grew out of the encounter between two oncologists and a psychiatrist who had experienced cancer himself. A moment for discussion and exchange, offering insights, resources and reflections on life during and after cancer.
Project leads: Dr Laurence Buisseret and Micheline Vion
Workshop date: To be announced
Registration: To be announced
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“Le Pansement Schubert” Conference-Concert
A conference-concert exploring a unique experience: music as a companion to care. Through a combination of spoken word and music, this initiative offers a different perspective on the experience of cancer and on the role music can play throughout the care journey.
Workshop date: To be announced
Registration: To be announced
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A Light Therapy Space
Light plays an important role in our daily rhythms and well-being. This project involves creating a calm and soothing space equipped with light therapy lamps and glasses. It aims to offer patients a moment to pause and recharge, while supporting them in coping with fatigue, lack of daylight and anxiety.
Project lead: Patricia Solau
The 12 PEPIT projects are now entering a new phase: putting their ideas into action.
Over the coming months, the winning teams will bring their ideas to life and implement their initiatives with patients.
A special event is already planned for March 2027 to officially close this first edition. Each team will have the opportunity to share the journey they have taken, their concrete achievements and the impact of their project on the patient experience.
This event will also mark the launch of the next PEPIT call for projects, which will be open to all staff members at Institut Jules Bordet.
Because improving the patient experience is everyone’s responsibility, everyone can help bring new ideas to life.
Thank you to all the winning teams for their commitment and creativity.