The Xpanding Innovative Alliance (XiA) project is dedicated to advancing interoperability within the healthcare sector, particularly in anticipation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation. Through a comprehensive educational initiative, XiA aims to address the skills gap in advanced digital health interoperability standards among healthcare providers, digital health solution providers, and individuals. By developing high-quality educational materials and courses, XiA seeks to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills to embrace EHDS-related standards and foster a culture of interoperability. Utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach, the project will offer online educational content and immersive learning experiences tailored to the needs of healthcare professionals and organizations. This initiative will not only educate a large workforce in advanced interoperability standards but also establish partnerships with other institutions to amplify its impact. The primary objectives of XiA include developing personalized learning pathways, accrediting educational initiatives, and promoting the integration of digital transformation, interoperability, and cybersecurity skills. Through micro-credentialing and partnerships with academic networks, XiA aims to ensure the sustainability and scalability of its educational programs. By fostering cross-border collaboration and engaging external entities, XiA seeks to empower healthcare providers, enhance the competitiveness of digital health companies, and strengthen the skills of EU health professionals. Through an open approach to interoperability standards and education, XiA aims to sustain its efforts and drive lasting impact in the field of digital healthcare.

xShare envisions everyone sharing their health data in EEHRxF with a click-of-a-button. The xShare button to be featured across health portals and patient apps and allow people to exercise their data portability rights under GDPR. Hence, the European EHRxF will be the driver for research and innovation in EHDS. xShare will establish the European EHRxF Standards and Policy Hub, the “Hub” partnership of six standards developing organizations (CEN/TC251, HL7 Europe, IHE Europe, SNOMED, CDISC, IEEE) market actors (DIGITAL Europe, MedTech-Europe and EUCROF), supported by competence centers, nationals and regional authorities and European SMEs. xShare will develop: 1) Harmonized common specifications, create and maintain xBundles i.e., collection of common data specifications including FHIR implementation guides, tools and data sets, and educational support for key EHRxF health information domains as noted in the EHDS draft regulation Annex 1. 2) A set of common elements across EHRxF health information domains applicable across EHDS-1 (Xt-EHR), public/population health (EHDS-2), and clinical research. 3) Extended harmonized IPS specification to include care plans and making it fit for the purpose of clinical research use cases i.e. clinical trial eligibility, real world data, patient reported outcomes, and returning clinical research data to patients. 4) xShare feature the xShare Button in 8 adoption settings in Hospital network (Italy), National portal (Greece, Ireland, Cyprus), regional network with emphasis in medical tourism and the connection of the public to the private sector (Catalunya and Madeira), entry of digital health applications to the myHealthSpace ecosystem in France. Care plans will be demonstrated in Denmark. xShare investigate the feasibility and value of the EU xShare Industry label as a vehicle towards implementing the draft EHDS regulation. Lastly open calls at the last year of the project aim to onboard with EHRxF almost 100 settings across Eu...

Time-to-Engage explores individual and contextual factors that interfere with the intention to use digital technologies in health by citizens in advanced age. It also aims at understanding how these factors are shaped by levels of digital competencies and engagement and by availability, accessibility, and affordability of digital equipment.

The main aim of the Ethics in Dementia (EDEM) COST Action is to reduce burnout and moral distress among caregivers and promote the dignity, autonomy, and quality of life of people with dementia. Dementia is a health challenge on the rise. The overall number of people with dementia in Europe is expected to almost double from 1.57% of the population in 2018, to 3% in 2050. There is no effective treatment for any of the 200 known dementia diseases. It is not possible to halt or reverse the cognitive decline caused by dementia. This makes care the most important health intervention for people with dementia. However, there are profound ethical difficulties involved in caring for people with dementia. Their gradual cognitive loss complicates retainment of autonomy and agency, and causes a number of ethical care dilemmas, including: balancing safety with freedom, deciding what is in their best interests and recognising that the needs of the person with dementia may sometimes conflict with the needs of others who also deserve consideration. Legal frameworks and guidelines are helpful in guiding practice and decision-making, but they need to be interpreted and applied to specific situations. EDEM addresses this challenge. By involving a multitude of stakeholders in developing an ethical framework, recommendations and an educational toolkit available for use across Europe, EDEM aims at improving dignity, autonomy and quality of life of people with dementia, as well as reducing burnout and moral distress among caregivers. Action keywords Dementia - Ethics - Autonomy - Dignity - Person centered care