From Gaps to Growth: Delivering Digital Skills in Cancer Care
TRANSiTION Stakeholder Forum Report
The digital transformation of cancer care presents a pivotal opportunity to enhance early diagnosis, personalise treatment, and improve patient outcomes. Yet, the success of these innovations hinges on the digital readiness of healthcare professionals. The TRANSITION project, co-funded by the European Commission, addresses this challenge by bridging the digital skills gap among clinical and non-clinical cancer care professionals across Europe.
The TRANSITION initiative is a multi-stakeholder, EU-wide effort led by the Cyprus University of Technology, involving 24 partners across 14 Member States. It aims to upskill and reskill oncology professionals through the development and deployment of a structured training curriculum consisting of 11 comprehensive modules. These modules cover topics ranging from digital communication and remote patient monitoring to AI in healthcare and digital decision-making.
On 9 October 2024, a dedicated Stakeholder Forum brought together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to inform and refine the project’s approach.
Key takeaways included:
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Breakout sessions identified barriers to digital training, such as lack of time, infrastructure, and resistance to change, and emphasised the importance of co-creation, flexibility, and micro-credentialing.
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Panel discussions stressed collaboration across EU-funded initiatives like DigiCanTrain, eCAN Joint Action, and BeWell, which complement TRANSITION by addressing workforce planning, mental health, and digital literacy.
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Accreditation was underscored as vital for motivating participation and ensuring the quality and portability of digital training across countries.
Recommendations
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Expand and adapt training across oncology care sectors, with hands-on, accessible, and accredited modules.
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Foster stakeholder collaboration for sustained, EU-wide impact and resource alignment.
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Ensure equity and access for all healthcare professionals, including those in remote or under-resourced settings.
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Integrate mental health support to maintain a resilient workforce.
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Align learning outcomes with key frameworks like the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Health Union, and EU digital education.
TRANSITION is a critical step toward a digitally empowered oncology workforce. With the right training, collaboration, and policy support, Europe can build a future-ready cancer care system, capable of delivering high-quality, patient-centred outcomes.
