Cancer prevalence and the digitalization potential incentives for the project

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in Europe. In 2018, 3 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 28 EU member states. In a very short time, healthcare in Europe has also been faced to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the potential of digitalization to transform the way health care is delivered and therefore building resilience and bringing efficiency, transparency, and convenience on health care services. 

Correctly used eHealth technology can be a useful tool for facilitating a dialogue among health care professionals (HCPs) and meet health and care needs of people affected by cancer. Digital technology is an inevitable part of the future of European healthcare. Despite the current use of e-technology, its positive effects and its potential, most health professionals feel insufficiently trained to deal with the digital revolution.

DigiCan Train goals 

The project aims at up-skilling and re-skilling the health care workforce in the cancer care setting. This supports the development of effective, person-centred health care, digital cancer care services and the use of contemporary eHealth technology by the HCPs. 
The project also contributes to shaping the lifelong learning dimension in higher education (EQF levels 6-8) by integrating micro-credentials to accompany ECTS and CME credit systems.  The purpose of the project is to design, pilot and evaluate DigiCanTrain education and training programme for trainers, clinical and non-clinical HCPs. The ultimate goal is to improve access to continuing professional education, increase digital skills and the use of eHealth technology of clinical and non-clinical health care professionals working with people affected by cancer. 

Consortium builds on cancer excellence

The consortium consists of the following partners:
Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL), University of Turku, European Oncology Nursing Society, European Cancer Organisation, University of Galway, Tallinn Health Care College, Turku University Hospital, Varsinais-Suomen hyvinvointialue, Institute Oncologic “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta” Cluj-Napoca, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Catalan Institute of Oncology, National Cancer Control Programme Ireland, Cancer Society of Finland CSF, Health Campus Turku and FICAN West.