Strengthening the Digital Capacity of Cancer Centres in the European Union to Improve Prevention and Care – eCanPlus Joint Action

Background:

Cancer is one of the most serious challenges, placing a heavy burden on society, countries' governments and health systems. In most EU Member States, it is the second leading cause of death, after cardiovascular disease. Without a decisive action, the incidence of cancer in Europe is expected to increase by one fifth by 2040, which translates to more than 5 million new cases. The growing use of telemedicine in healthcare offers a new opportunity to respond to public health crises, as we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Objectives:

eCanPlus aims to bring the benefits of digital health to all citizens, patients and healthcare professionals, with the aim of improving cancer prevention and management across Europe. The project involves 23 EU countries and 83 key partners from public health institutions, universities, hospitals, oncology centres and patient associations.
The overall objective of this Joint Action (JA) is to build on the experience of the previous JA eCAN project and strengthen the digital capacities of oncology centres in the EU, with a particular focus on the opportunities in Eastern Europe, by: 

• implementing a comprehensive educational programme for the development of digital skills (including telemedicine, telemonitoring and eHealth tools) in a preventive context for healthcare professionals, patients and the general public;cgrasic(at)onko-i.si
• promoting digital collaboration within and between cancer centres;
• introducing telemedicine tools in different cancer treatment environments and exploring their clinical applications;
• establishing and deploying a robust, integrated framework for remote monitoring and telemonitoring of cancer patients across Europe.

The project will develop a framework for testing and piloting digital tools in a safe and legal way, in compliance with all applicable EU regulations, with the aim of improving the use and reuse of health data for the benefit of cancer patients.

The role of the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana

The Institute of Oncology Ljubljana plays an important role in activities in the work package Capacity Building for Telemedicine. This work package focuses on the implementation of telemedicine activities in the care of cancer patients and the improvement of the eHealth capacities of European Cancer Centres. Telemedicine tools will be integrated into different stages of patient care and into different populations. They will explore various telemedicine tools and methods, such as:

• monitoring patients via mobile applications (PROMs),
• teleconsultations,
• the use of case studies.
   

The specific objectives are:

• implementing the clinical use of telemedicine tools in a variety of cancer care settings;
• training patients and healthcare professionals in the use of telemedicine;
• sharing a data management plan and protocols for cybersecurity;
• evaluation of the results of pilot projects.

"Participation in the eCAN Plus project represents an exceptional opportunity to strengthen the digital transformation in the field of oncology in Slovenia as well. By doing so, we will be able to provide our patients with safer, more accessible and personalized medical treatment, and at the same time we will strengthen the competencies of medical staff for the use of modern e-tools," emphasizes Assoc. Prof. Cvetka Grašič Kuhar, Project Leader at the  Institute of Oncology Ljubljana.
 

For more information:

Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Cvetka Grašič Kuhar, e-mail address: [email protected]