eCAN Plus

AIM

The purpose of eCAN Plus is to improve digital treatment collaboration across cancer centres and organisations, and to develop and implement an educational programme for both patients, citizens and healthcare professionals, so that they can better utilise technologies related to cancer treatment and care.

As part of this effort and building on the Joint Action eCAN’s experience (2022-2024), this project involves testing and piloting the safe and secure integration of digital tools and health data in order to improve the use and re-use of health data. The growing adoption of telemedicine tools and the European Health Data Space’s legal framework provide the foundation for implementing these mechanisms.

Through comprehensive mapping of current scenarios, training programmes, use cases, and pilots, eCAN Plus also intends to strengthen collaboration among cancer centres and enhance the digital skills of healthcare professionals. Moreover, by gathering and sharing knowledge from participating countries, eCAN Plus expects to develop recommendations and highlight best practices along the cancer care pathway, thereby improving patients’ access to effective healthcare.

THE PROJECT'S STRUCTURE

eCAN Plus is structured into nine work packages (WPs), where the Region of Southern Denmark plays a significant role in the following:

• WP5: Promoting prevention and treatment through digital health competencies for professionals and civilians
• WP6: Strengthening clinical decision-making in diagnosis and treatment across cancer centres and health sectors through digital solutions
• WP7: Capacity building in palliative telemedicine and digital solutions
• WP8: Capacity building for the effective use of telemonitoring and follow-up of cancer patients

PARTNERS

eCAN Plus involves 81 organisations from 23 European countries, including public health actors and health authorities, universities, hospitals, cancer centers and organisations, and patient associations. Together, they seek to address the increasing incidence of cancer, expected to rise by 20% by 2040. 

The total partner network of eCAN Plus consists of:

• The Region of Southern Denmark, including Odense University Hospital, Lillebaelt Hospital, MEDCOM and Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark
• Region Zealand and the Capital Region of Denmark
• European universities, hospitals, cancer centres and cancer organisations as well as patients' organisations

THE DANISH PARTNERS' ROLE AND TASKS

The Region of Southern Denmark (Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark) is the Competent Authority (CA) responsible for the overall Danish partnership, and we in the Region of Southern Denmark are involved in several of the project's work packages.

Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark (HICSD) is leading WP6, which will develop and test digital health solutions throughout Europe. In addition, HICSD has a significant role in WP 5, which will promote digital health competencies among professionals, citizens and patients.

Odense University Hospital (Region of Southern Denmark) is participating with a special focus on ensuring coherent patient pathways and good patient transitions between hospital treatment and the primary sector, with a focus on vulnerable cancer patients in WP 6.

Lillebaelt Hospital (Region of Southern Denmark) is leading a pilot project in palliative home care for cancer patients, investigating home monitoring and developing guidelines and best practices for digital/telemedicine support in palliative care in WP 7.

The Capital Region and Region Zealand are contributing with the establishment of the Virtual Tumour Board, which will ensure better digital collaboration on diagnostics and treatment of cancer patients in WP 6.

MEDCOM will contribute with knowledge sharing and be part of the technical expert council.

Follow the project on LinkedIn.

FUNDING

The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU4Health programme; grant number 101219434).

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