INTERACT-EUROPE 100

Over 100 Cancer Centres Now Recruited!

After receiving over 120 applications from European Cancer Centres and performing a thorough revision process, the INTERACT-EUROPE 100 Team is pleased to announce that the project has met its goal of selecting at least 100 of them!

We have also beaten the target of 15 EU countries' Cancer Centres being included and have reached 27 countries (23 EU and 4 non-EU).

The project team is extremely grateful for the interest received from all over Europe. We are now working at full speed to prepare the training courses, which are set to begin in 2025.

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 Research-Based Hybrid Event

Special Needs of Displaced People with Cancer and Healthcare Workforce: A Focus on Ukraine

The INTERACT-EUROPE 100 Research-Based Hybrid Event ‘Special Needs of Displaced People with Cancer and Healthcare Workforce: A Focus on Ukraine’ took place in Ukraine and virtually on Wednesday 23 October 2024 from 10:00 to 15:00 CEST. Learn more about it here.

Join INTERACT-EUROPE 100 and put your centre at the forefront of healthcare training

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 is open to cancer centres from across Europe. Apply now to be among the 100 cancer centres participating, offering your cancer care professionals an array of multidisciplinary training for the next three years. Training begins in 2024. 

Why are Cancer Centres Applying for INTERACT-EUROPE 100?

Representatives from applying Cancer Centres had the opportunity to share the reasons why they consider this project so important and why they are applying for it. The videos they shared turned into precious material to boost the promotion of recruitment on the weeks before closing.

See why inter-specialty cancer training is so important for: Dr Jan Žmuc; Prof Audrius Dulskas, Radiologist Marina Nepotu, Prof. Ann Hopkins; Scientific Director Prof. Roberto Orecchia; Dr. Deborah Moreno-Alonso; Cancer Operations & Accreditation Lead Claire Noonan; and Prof. Hackert.

Watch the video here!

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 has a clear and unwavering objective: improve cancer care by improving the collaboration of those providing it. The INTERACT-EUROPE vision is all about breaking down medical silos. It provides professionals from different specialties with the skills to communicate with each other more effectively for better patient care.

 For more information, please download our blueprint summary. 

Apply now to have your cancer centre be part of the INTERACT-EUROPE 100 project, providing an array of multidisciplinary training for the next three years. 

Implementing inter-specialty cancer training in 100 centres across Europe

Discover a fundamentally different way of training cancer care professionals

This project is connected to the ECO Workforce Network. Find out more.

Cancer patients in Europe are treated by an array of different specialties and professions: medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, cancer nurses and many others. Teamwork is essential. But high functioning teamwork requires a clear understanding of each other’s roles and competencies. 

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 is an ambitious project to provide cancer care professionals with the training necessary to enhance this collaboration – now coming to 100 cancer centres across Europe. 

Building upon the work of INTERACT-EUROPE, its predecessor, INTERACT-EUROPE 100 is a 36-month project (December 2023 – December 2026). It is co-funded by the European Union under the EU4Health programme 2021-2027 as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. It involves 38 partner organisations from 15 European countries implementing this novel training curriculum.

See the work packages of INTERACT-EUROPE 100

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 Advisory Board

The INTERACT-EUROPE 100 Team would like to express our profound gratitude to the experts who confirmed their involvement on the project Advisory Board.

This committee is made up of leaders in a variety of fields, including oncology professionals not represented within the Consortium, as well as international authorities in oncology education and research.

They will review the strategic development of the project and test the concepts underpinning its implementation and will meet periodically.

INTERACT-EUROPE 100 Consortium

The Importance of Multidisciplinary Cancer Care

Co-chair Maja Čemažar was interviewed by the European Commission and explained why a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care is key, and how INTERACT-EUROPE 100 and its Inter-Specialty Cancer Training Programme contributes to support Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

'By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among oncology experts across Europe, we are creating a network of supported expertise that goes beyond borders and will reduce inequities in cancer care.' she says.

Watch the full interview here!

The Launch of INTERACT-EUROPE 100

This project is connected to the ECO Workforce Network. Find out more.

On 8 and 9 February, the European Cancer Organisation launched the second phase of the EU co-funded project for an Inter-Specialty Cancer Training Programme.

The inaugural event served not only to showcase the project's goals and impact but also to gather stakeholder insights, advice, and priorities for what inter-specialty training they wanted for their own cancer teams. Given the project's core concept of including 100 cancer centres from across Europe, their input was crucial.

Guests networked with project partners, officials, policy makers, and patient representatives, as they developed this new frontier in cancer training.

Participants engaged in:

- 8 February: An evening reception at the European Commission’s regional representation office in Barcelona, with informative talks followed by dinner and networking with political figures, cancer centre representatives, consortium members, and project leadership.

- 9 February: Kick-off event at the Paediatric Cancer Centre Hospital Sant Joan de Deu (HSJD), including the presentation of the INTERACT-EUROPE 100 project and the gathering of feedback in a free-flowing exchange with cancer centre directors and consortium members.

Attendees had a direct impact on the future of this innovative training programme.

Discover more about the first phase of the INTERACT-EUROPE programme, including videos and documents, here.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

INTERACT-EUROPE 100: Enrolment Guide for Cancer Centres, Trainers and Participants

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to assess the feasibility of their enrolment.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stay up to date!

Receive news on INTERACT-EUROPE 100 and other EU projects that ECO is leading or supporting. Subscribe to our various newsletters.

Questions or Feedback:

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.