Integrating telemedicine in European healthcare settings: Key enablers for healthcare professionals

Abstract Background Conducted as part of WP4 (Sustainability) of the eCAN Joint Action (JA), we aimed to understand the facilitating factors for the use of telemedicine services in healthcare organisations (HCOs) involved in cancer care, such as comprehensive cancer centres and hospitals. eCAN JA runs pilot studies in 18 HCOs across 10 EU Member States (MS) to test the integration of telemedicine into the daily practice of healthcare professionals. Methods Based on a literature review, we identified 26 facilitators to implement telemedicine services at the organisational level; these were integrated to an online survey and sent to healthcare professionals working in cancer care. Next, they were invited to a foresight workshop to complement the quantitative survey data with qualitative insights. Results 24 healthcare professionals across 12 EU MS, predominantly from the pilot sites of the eCAN JA, responded to the survey. They advocate for trainings on telemedicine, emphasising the importance of user-friendly and interoperable platforms, alongside sufficient technological support, time, and financial resources to effectively implement telemedicine in HCOs. Trial periods for both healthcare professionals and patients should offer first-hand experience, while harmonising telemedicine protocols ensure consistency. In addition, promoting digital literacy among physicians and providing IT education from an early age could facilitate adoption. These strategies, coupled with awareness campaigns and infrastructure investments in HCOs, can pave the way for telemedicine adoption. Conclusions Based on the quantitative and qualitative outcomes, it can be concluded that policies should establish telemedicine training for healthcare professionals, support interoperability and user-friendliness of these services in HCOs. They should also address hospital workload challenges, create harmonised protocols, provide incentives, and invest in digital infrastructure in HCOs for telemedicine adoption. Key messages • Telemedicine implementation in HCOs requires equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary skills, ensuring system compatibility, and addressing resource constraints in HCOs for success. • Financial and infrastructural support to HCOs is crucial for the seamless integration of telemedicine services into the daily workflows of healthcare professionals, enhancing health service delivery.