The ONCO-TRA.bru project will develop a Brussels-based training platform in oncology, at the heart of the centre for continuing education in the healthcare professions of the Free University of Brussels (ULB) health centre. The goal is to train professionals and respond to the recruitment needs of the hospital, biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors.
The Free University of Brussels creates an oncology training platform
- 16 January 2020
ONCO-TRA.bru is a lifelong training platform targeting a widely varied audience (healthcare professionals, laboratory technicians, job seekers, patients, etc.) and offering learning objectives and a highly innovative teaching approach that enable it to respond quickly to the needs of the field and anticipate the emergence of new professions.
ONCO-TRA.bru is a partnership platform that, on the one hand, aims to support the ecosystem related to oncology by developing the skills of health professionals and, on the other hand, better fighting cancer by providing direct training to patients.
Lifelong learning plays a pivotal role in the ability to develop the skills of all those involved in cancer care and the fight against cancer. ONCO-TRA.bru focuses on co-constructing innovative training programmes enriched by the patients’ perspective.
Training for healthcare professionals and patients
Several types of trainings have been developed. First, there are short trainings (one to two days) addressing specific themes (immunotherapies, new generation sequencing, biostatistics, etc.). And secondly, three university certificates (CUs) have been created, in some instances coupled with digital teaching tools to support flexible learning:
the CU in “integrative care in outpatient oncology” is focused on the patient’s return home and on offering healthcare professionals in particular interactive workshops to foster inter disciplinary relationships;the CU in “environmental medicine” gives healthcare professionals the knowledge and tools necessary to better identify and predict the impacts of the environment on their patients’ health and determine what actions should be taken (advices, treatments, etc.);the CU in “biostatistics” offers a practical learning programme that has core requirements coupled with courses selected according to professional needs.Thirdly, a pilot project is under development. It will offer patients a flexible training programme, combining digital tools and classroom sessions depending on their preferences and availability.
Developing synergies with patients
Currently, four full-time staff are working on the project (ULB-VUB). Lifelong learning also makes it possible to acquire skills facilitating professional integration or reintegration. ONCO-TRA.bru aims to facilitate career change and job search.
Known for the quality of its care and healthcare institutions, the Brussels Capital region has become a magnet, which makes it possible to concentrate skills and resources. This intensive and specific specialisation (smart specialisation) allows the region to be competitive and to maintain its reputation – and particularly the reputation of its cancer hub – in the health field.
ONCO-TRA.bru contributes specifically to the region’s attractiveness and influence in terms of high standard health care. It also facilitates the decompartmentalisation of the healthcare professions and encourages the development of synergies with patients.
Finally, the initiatives undertaken in the project will impact patients’ trust in oncology healthcare and therefore increase patient compliance in monitoring their treatment. This will also strengthen the ties between patients and the professional health care world.
Total investment and European funding
The ‘Onco-tra.bru’ project received a total investment of EUR 2 148 544, with the European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 889 997 under the ERDF OP Brussels Capital Region / EFRO OP Brussel Hoofdstedelijk Gewest cooperation programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the ‘Employment, growth and investments’ priority area.