INTERACT EUROPE 100: Inter-Specialty Cancer Training Programme for Trainers

The INTERACT-EUROPE100 project aims at implementing the Inter-specialty Cancer Training (ISCT) curriculum developed under the INTERACT-EUROPE project. The objective of the ISCT programme is to foster a patient-centric approach to quality cancer care through the promotion of multidisciplinary and multi-professional teams working across Europe. The project will critically review the current state of inter-specialty training resources, identify existing quality learning materials and produce innovative learning resources to meet the requirements of the ISCT curriculum and ensure the needs of oncology patients across Europe are addressed. A dedicated digital learning management system (Moodle) adapted to the needs of oncology professionals has been established to support the decentralised implementation of the ISCT programme for trainers and participants at the national level. The activities linked to the training of trainers target experts in the fields of clinical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, cancer nursing and other specialised staff from more than 100 cancer centres in Europe and ensure the future sustainability of the ISCT programme in EU Members States. The Inter-specialty Cancer Training Programme (ISCTP) curriculum was originally developed by a group of experts involved with the INTERACT-EUROPE project, led by Dr. Kim Benstead from the Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust. The original curriculum was maintained whilst adjusting it to be inclusive of all medical, nursing and allied health care professions within different specialties in cancer care. The ISCTP Trainers’ course is aimed at the trainers supervising the inter-specialty training programme delivery in the cancer centres. The trainers’ course will prepare them for their role in guiding the delivery of the ISCTP in their own cancer centre and in the online environment. The trainers represent different specialties and professions working in cancer centres in the areas of clinical oncology, surgery, radiology, radiation oncology, cancer nursing and allied health professions. These all have an important role in realising and supporting the development of interprofessional practice in their units. It is important to note that ISCTP is not a programme for specialisation in oncology, and for this reason the trainers are not teaching their own specialty but rather support the development of interprofessional practice and delivery of the ISCTP in the cancer centres. Each has their own area of expertise, which they apply locally in part of the training only where clinical visits take place or when developing interprofessional practice within the multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) of their own specific fields in the cancer centre. Extent of the programme => 125 hours: 20 hours in-person event 35 hours of online learning and training (includes the lectures and training for trainers and mentoring the participants in online environment) 20 hours of self-study and reflection 50 hours of on-site training (mentoring and support of participants’ on-site learning and clinical visit in cancer centres)