CN23 - Development of multidisciplinary DigiCanTrain Digital Competence Framework for cancer care

Background

Digital technology is an inevitable part of the cancer care. Nurses and other health care professionals (HCPs), need digital competence to provide care in digital care environment. However, many HCPs feel insufficiently trained in the use of digital health intervention. EU4health funded DigiCanTrain (DCT) project with partners from six EU countries (Finland, Estonia, Spain, Ireland, Romania, and Greece) aims to address the skills mismatch by designing digital skills training programme HCPs in cancer care. As a part of development, the aim was to identify the digital competences of HCPs working in cancer care to guide programme designing.

Methods

The development process of the DCT competence framework is based on a synthesis of existing evidence and guidelines, as well as the views of stakeholders. Process included two systematic reviews, a narrative review of literature and a multidisciplinary expert consensus workshop complemented by an advisory board feedback survey. The first draft of the framework was based on core competencies extracted from the results of reviews. The draft 1.0 was reviewed in the multidisciplinary consensus workshop and revision proposals were provided. In the last phase, DCT advisory board provided feedback on the draft 2.0 and final refinements were conducted.

Results

DigiCanTrain Digital Competence Framework consist of a definition of digital competence and five main competence domains; Communication, collaboration and participation, Information technology and digital health systems, Person-centred digital cancer care, Digital interventions in cancer care, and Safety and ethics related to digital interventions and data management. Domains are divided into sub competencies consisting of 15 knowledge, 25 skills and 12 attitude/value items.

Conclusions

Cancer nurses increasingly communicate and provide care in digital care environments. Understanding the digital competence needed by HCPs supports development of training and upgrading skills for transition to more effective and person-centred digital cancer care.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Co-funded by the European Union, EU4Health Programme.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.