S1346
Interdisciplinary - Education in radiation oncology
ESTRO 206
Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 7 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Department of Woman, Child and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. 8 Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Division, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Turin, Italy. 9 Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology Department, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy Purpose/Objective: The ON-COME Project (Paediatric Oncology Network and Communication on the Mind-Body-Environment relationship) is a European initiative funded under the EU4Health Programme. The project aims to enhance the integration of psychosocial, neurocognitive, visual, and nutritional care within paediatric oncology and radiotherapy services. Working through a network of five clinical centers across Europe (including Italy, France, Germany, and Greece), together with technological partners and patient associations from additional European countries, ON-COME promotes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to childhood cancer care. Material/Methods: ON-COME focuses on three main axes relevant to radiotherapy practice:• Clinical and organizational standardization, including the development of harmonized assessment protocols and on-site supportive services, supported by tailored training for healthcare professionals.• European collaboration, fostering shared best practices and interoperable data frameworks to strengthen cross-border learning.• Digital innovation, aimed at creating tools that enhance patient monitoring, family communication, and personalized care planning.The project officially started with a kick-off meeting held in Rome at the coordinating institution, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, marking the launch of coordinated activities across participating centers. Results: At this preliminary stage, key achievements include the establishment of a shared governance model, a harmonized assessment framework, and the design of training curricula for multidisciplinary teams. Early engagement of patient organizations and IT partners has supported the definition of user-centered requirements for digital health tools. Conclusion: ON-COME represents a unique European effort to strengthen psychosocial and cognitive support within paediatric radiotherapy, promoting standardized assessments, collaborative networking, and technological empowerment. The project’s integrated approach aims to enhance the quality of life, treatment adherence, and long-term outcomes of children undergoing radiotherapy across Europe. References:
Chieffo, D. P. R., Marconi, E., Zucchetti, G., Montanaro, M., Blom, J. M. C., Poggi, G., Albino, G., Sani, L., Rostagno, E., Ciappina, S., Massimino, M., Mastronuzzi, A., & Scarponi, D. (2025). Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors cognitive and psychosocial assessment: key highlights from the Italian (AIEOP) consensus conference. Child neuropsychology : a journal on normal and abnormal development in childhood and adolescence, 31(8), 1179– 1193.European Health and Digital Executive Agency. 2025. EU4Health projects advancing the fight against childhood cancer. 15 September 2025. Disponibile online: https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/news/eu4health- projects-advancing-fight-against-childhood-cancer- 2025-09-15_en (accessed: 12.11.2025). Keywords: Pediatric Radiotherapy. Psychosocial. Cognitive. A Pediatric Radiation Oncology Virtual Course (PedROC) in Sub-Saharan Africa: Building Capacity through Global Collaboration adedayo Joseph 1 , Njoki Njiraini 2 , Roman Kowalchuk 3 , Thurandrie Naiker 4,5 , John T. Lucas Jr. 6 1 Medserve - LUTH Cancer Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. 2 Cancer Centre, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN., USA. 4 Department of Radiation oncology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. 5 Department of Radiation oncology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. 6 Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN., USA Purpose/Objective: Persistent gaps in pediatric radiotherapy expertise and inadequate access to specialised training programs continue to hinder optimal pediatric cancer care in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The Mini-Oral 4990 Pediatric Radiation Oncology Virtual Course (PedROC) was developed to address this deficit by leveraging technology and international collaboration to enhance clinical competencies, improve workforce capacity and standardize pediatric radiotherapy practices across resource-limited settings. Material/Methods: The PedROC September Series, conducted weekly throughout September 2025, comprised four expert- led sessions designed to strengthen pediatric radiation oncology practice across Africa and other low- and middle-income regions. The sessions focused on (i) foundations of pediatric radiation oncology, (ii)
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