The SIOPE Psychosocial Working Group was very busy these months! With a large group of collaborators from 15 countries, CCIE and SIOPE, we have worked on the submission of a grant proposal EU4H-PJ-02-3 - Call for proposals on the development of social services for psychosocial support and rehabilitation for children and their families in paediatric oncology clinics in Member States and countries associated to the EU4Health Program - CR-g-24-43.
The submitted project aims to establish a Europe-wide standard for psychosocial care in paediatric oncology, ensuring comprehensive support throughout treatment and into adulthood. It will develop evidence-based guidelines tailored to European contexts through an international consensus, involving healthcare professionals and patient advocates. Additionally, the project will map existing psychosocial services to identify gaps and implement targeted interventions. A comprehensive training program will equip providers with skills in psycho-oncology and communication strategies.
The initiative will also introduce psychosocial screening tools, such as the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), to help identify patients' needs early in treatment, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for young patients and their families.
We want to make an impact for children and families around Europe. We hope IMPACT-EU (IMprove Psychosocial cAre and soCial supporT for children and adolescents with cancer and their families to improve quality of life for all) will be granted.
The upcoming 2025 will see the launch of an Awareness Campaign on Psychosocial care in Paediatric oncology on social media, so please follow us on our channels. Anyone interested in joining the Psychosocial WG awareness subgroup, please send an email to chiara.michi@siope.eu or register here to become a member of the Psychosocial WG.