ABOUT THE PROJECT

The INTERACT-EUROPE 100 project brings together 44 partners spread across 17 European countries aiming to implement the Inter-specialty Cancer Training Programme (ISCTP) curriculum developed under the INTERACT-EUROPE project.

The objective of the ISCTP is to foster a patient-centred approach to quality cancer care through the promotion of multidisciplinary and multi-professional teams. In fact, INTERACT-EUROPE 100 aims at positioning Europe as a global leader in inter-specialty cancer care by integrating a robust understanding within multidisciplinary oncology teams via inter-specialty training programmes. This initiative builds on the success of the initial INTERACT-EUROPE phase, which developed the training curriculum with input from educational organizations, healthcare professionals, patient representatives, and Cancer Centres. The initiative is unique on a global scale: such comprehensive ISCTP has never been implemented in the oncology field before. The programme will fill the gap in inter-specialty cancer training, while enhancing the skills of oncology professionals. Long-term impacts also include improved cancer care outcomes through enhanced collaboration within paediatric, including AYA, and adult cancer care, as well as driving progress and innovation by advancing automatic translation technology in oncology education.

INTER-SPECIALTY CANCER TRAINING PROGRAMME:
HOW ARE WE GOING TO IMPLEMENT IT?

The main figures around which the project gravitates are the Cancer Centres, the vital locations where the change will take place, the Trainers and the Participants.

The goal of the project is to recruit 100 Cancer Centres, where oncology specialists, nurses, and other allied healthcare professionals will have the unique opportunity to attend onsite and online trainings created and hosted by high-level specialists in the oncology field. Each Cancer Centre is invited to nominate four Trainers who will attend the onsite Train-the-Trainer event and other learning activities, as well as guide and mentor the Participants from the same organisation. Selected Cancer Centres will also have to nominate at least one Participant per Trainer involved in the project, who will have the chance to attend ad-hoc online learning activities translated in seven EU languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Romanian, Slovenian and Ukrainian) and clinical trainings from the organisation of origin. More information on both training programmes can be found below.

For both Cancer Centres, Trainers and Participants, selected candidates will have to possess the requirements and eligibility criteria mentioned in the following sections of the guide.

Trainers’ profile

Selected Trainers will:

• Possess a recognised professional qualification in oncology, being qualified in medicine, surgery, nursing or an allied health profession, working in at least one of the specialties listed below. Other specialties should be discussed with the coordinator upon expression of interest.
• Have practised in the professional roles listed for not less than 4 years.
• Professional fluency in English to be able to participate in the onsite training.
• Currently working in a centre that meets the eligibility criteria (below).
• Working in an EU member state, or one of the following EU4Health affiliated countries: Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway and Ukraine.
• Alongside a copy of their CV, be able to provide a signed letter of recommendation from their employing or training institution, indicating:
  • The institution’s support for the candidate’s involvement, including the provision of time for the candidate to participate in the programme.
  • The institution’s support for the candidate’s involvement in delivering the ISCTP.
  • The institution’s assurance that the candidate meets the above-described criteria.
  • The institution’s support for the candidate’s involvement on the delivery of the ISCTP.

Trainers’ Programme

• Trainers’ training consists of a total of 125 hours, including:
• Two-days onsite ‘Train-the-Trainer’ training event (approx. 20 hours total);
• Online learning activities before and after the Train-the-Trainer event (approx. 55 hours);
• Mentoring and supervision of ISCTP implementation at their employing organisation (approx. 50 hours).

The training will be organised in four units: contemporary pedagogical approaches and methods in interprofessional education, patient-centred interprofessional practice in cancer care continuum, ISCTP content and guidelines for delivery (approx. 75 hours), ISCTP delivery in Cancer Centres (approx. 50 hours) and will take place between December 2024 and November 2025. When Participants start the full ISCTP, Trainers will mentor and supervise them throughout the full programme, approximately six months, with a two months buffer period. Overall, 60% of the Trainers’ training (approx. 75 hours) will consist of online and onsite courses, while training activities in their employing organisations is estimated to require 50 hours (40%).

Participants

Selected Participants will be:

• Professionals of the oncology specialties listed below, with at least 2 years’ experience in oncology, or oncology training finished no more than 3 years ago. Specialties other than the ones listed should be discussed with the coordinator upon expression of interest.
• Currently working in a centre that meets the eligibility criteria (listed below).
• Working in an EU member state or one of the following EU4Health affiliated countries: Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway and Ukraine.
• Fluency in at least one of the following languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Slovenian, Romanian and Ukrainian.
• Priority will be given to applications of different professions from the same centre/team.
• The selection of Participants will be carried out by the cancer centre where they come from.

Participants’ Programme

Participants will be mentored by Trainers during their training, which will take approximately six months with a two months buffer period, for a total of 150 hours, to be completed. For them, the ISCTP is divided into 5 courses and 33 units, all designed to improve interprofessional practice in cancer care from different perspectives. The courses are:

• Clinical expertise;
• Communication and collaboration;
• Professional practice and scholarship;
• Leadership;
• Health advocacy and survivorship.

The content of the programme is designed in interprofessional teams, and it aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of the different professions and specialties enhancing the collaboration within and between different specialties and professions. The training will be delivered as follows:

• Online learning activities, translated in seven EU languages (English, French, German, Romanian, Slovenian, Spanish, Ukrainian). (approx. 60 hours);
• Clinical training, to be incorporated into the Participants’ actual work and tasks at their employing organisation (approx. 40 hours);
• Self-learning activities, such as reflection on educational topics before and after the trainings and autonomous research (approx. 50 hours).

Certifications

Trainers and Participants will be both certified, at the end of their trainings, with one Micro-credential and Continuing Medical Education certification (CMEs), when applicable.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CANCER CENTRES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS

• Nature of the Organisation: applications are welcomed from Cancer Centres, Hospitals of general medical focus, University Hospitals, and Organisation responsible for Accreditation and Training of Cancer Specialists.
• Geographic Location: Cancer Centres located within the European Union or one of the EU4Health associated countries: Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway and Ukraine will be prioritised. As one of the pillar values of the project, inclusiveness will be reached through a balanced recruitment in terms of geographical representation.
• Expertise: Eligible organisations must demonstrate expertise in oncology.
• Capacity and Resources: Selected organisations must possess the necessary infrastructure, resources, and personnel to support their involvement in the training programme effectively, including adequate facilities, qualified staff, and administrative support to facilitate the training and mentoring of Participants by Trainers.
• Commitment to the Project’s Outcomes: the applying centre must demonstrate commitment to developing multidisciplinary cancer care within the Organisation by providing a recommendation letter for Trainers and Participants’ to be included in the programme.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Eligible organisations shall demonstrate a commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within their institutions, ensuring equitable access to training opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• Flexibility: Time flexibility shall be stated to allow Participants to follow the course during working hours.

Eligibility compliance will be provided within the supporting letters requested in the Trainers and participant’s applications. Following admission of Participants to the ISCTP, the centre is expected to be readily contactable by the programme coordinators if needed.

Eligible Oncology Specialties of Trainers and Participants

Interested Trainers or Participants that are not part of the mentioned specialties, should get in touch with us at interact-europe100@europeancancer.org, to assess the feasibility of their enrolment.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Contact us at: INTERACT-EUROPE100@europeancancer.org