"Cancer is a disease that induces a very strong stress because it is perceived as a death sentence. Although discovered cures for this disease, the perception remained at the society level. The cancer has become the second cause of mortality in 2013, behind cardiovascular diseases. Less focus is put on the effects of cancer on living conditions in general and on work in particular. Staying in work is essential for most people of working age for maintaining a decent standard living, sustain social acquaintances and self-esteem and feeling useful as an individual. Although the incidence of cancer is one big social level still remain nuanced forms of stigmatization, which vary in intensity. In many cases this disease experience involves a redefinition of relationships with others and a sudden reconfirmation of the circle of friends, some of them adopting a defensive attitude limitation or avoidance of people diagnosed with cancer. People diagnosed with cancer feel the need to communicate and interact with those in similar situations, sensitivity and responsiveness to their life stories and experiences of having a dual dimension: informational and therapeutic. Efficient communication and provision of information to cancer patients and their families about their illness, treatment choices, and potential outcomes improve psycho-social outcomes. It is known that the mental state of a person diagnosed contribute substantially to improving his health or can worsening the disease.In recent years, technological and organizational innovations, determined a very wide use of the Internet, mobile devices, 2.0 Web tools that increase the access to knowledge and training for individuals, from formal courses to informal ad-hoc learning. The SPAC project -Supporting people affected by cancer in their social and professional life- aims to increase the social and professional integration of people with cancer, to reduce their and their families' distress by empowering persons involved with people with cancer (caregivers, psychologists, medical staff, social workers, voluntaries, employers) with professional information about cancer and the impact of living and working with cancer by using ICT tool and social networking. The project creates a positive and stimulating environment to improve the coping process of persons with cancer and improve their chances to reenter social and professional life. 4 local “circles of trust” has been created to reduce social and emotional isolation of the persons diagnosed with cancer. The target groups to which the project refers are: people with cancer and people in contact with people with cancer (caregivers, psychologists, medical staff, social worker, voluntaries and employers) over age 15. The Partnership was made up of 6 organisations: 3 NGO- Institutul Postliceal Phoenix( RO)- partner coordinator, APSCO-Asociatia pentru Servicii si Comunicare in Oncologie(RO), Fondatione ANT Italia Onulus( IT); 1 vocational education center- Rize Anadolu Saglik Meslek Lisesi( TR); 1 university- UMF Cluj (RO); 1 SMEs- Institut INPRO a.s,(CZ). They have been selected in accordance with their expertise in the major thematic areas of the project and experience in similar transnational projects. All of them have vested interest in project topics with view to reach target groups/final beneficiaries. The main activities of the project were: 1. Designing the project website and the project identity; 2. Designing the learning platform; 3. Research about Learning trough Social Networks in partner countries; 4. Designing Interactive learning& training materials; 5. Adaptation of the Interactive Learning and training materials to the country context regarding the right examples, images and technical terminology used on the field of lifelong learning; 6. Recognition of non-formal and informal skills acquired on Internet; 7. Creation if ""circles of trust""; 8. Conferences on project outputs for dissemination purposes in partner countries. During the development of the project, 4 transnational project meetings has been held. The approach consisted of the following stages: realizing an analyze for the real situation regarding the use of social media for learning in partner countries; offering professional information about cancer and the impact of living and working with cancer by using ICT tool and social networking; designing a model for the social integration of the target group by creating the local ""circle of trust"".The main expected outputs are: the learning platform www.spac-help.com; the Report on Learning trough Social Media/Networks about living and working with cancer in partner countries; the interactive learning &training materials about Living and working with cancer adapted to the partner counties; the Reference guide of recognition of non-formal and informal skills on working with/for person with cancer acquired on social network; the local “circles of trust” for people with cancer and caregivers."

CONTEXT/BACKGROUNDOur project aims to cover the gap between traditional nurses dealing with cancer patients and the younger generation in terms of digital literacy, through education and training in ICT & digital applications, as well as to modernize the services provided by designing a fresh market-driven Curriculum offering the soft and psychological skills required to respond to the needs of this special demographics group and their families. The target groups involved and benefited are: • Traditional nurses, especially those working with cancer patients, through the tailor Curriculum designed to provide them with all the skills required for a successful career in the industry.• Cancer patients, their families and beloved ones, due to the superior services they are going to receive from highly trained, certified professionals.• Enterprises specialized in cancer treatment, by having access to a fresh pool of well-trained candidates with a set of skills responding to their needs. • States and regional governments, through the improvement of services for their citizens, training of the workforce and development of an ICT-driven approach with transferable applications to other sectors OBJECTIVESThe objective of PsychONskills project include: • O1: Provide a renewed skillset on ICT, digital and soft skills that are needed to meet the increased demand to highly qualified nurse practitioners.• O2: Enhance cancer care providers’ soft and psychological skills, improving their communication and psychological care for patients.• O3: Design a competence-based Occupational Profile for Nurse Practitioners facilitating the transition from the provision of unregistered nursing services to a formal nurse system.• O4: Enhance employability and restrain undeclared work through officially recognized Training.PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS We have identified four different categories of participants:1. Individuals (General Care Nurses) Participating in Training Activities2. Participants in the Multiplier Events3. Participants during the implementation of I.O.s4. Followers on the Internet and social mediaParticipants are going to be identified through partner’s networks. The selection is going to be based on:• A stratified sampling method, embracing all variables and different categories of participants• Equal representation of men and women• Representation of all age groups• The intention to include samples both from the informal - atypical and formal nursing sector• The actual and different needs of patients with cancer, so that we include participants from the whole spectrum of needs (i.e. mental, physical).METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES USEDIn PsychONskills, based on the Needs Analysis and the identification of the Project Objectives and Results to be achieved, we have prepared a coherent implementation plan that includes:•4 Intellectual Outputs•1 Joint Staff Training Event•5 Transnational Meetings, including the Kick-Off Meeting and the Final Conference•6 Multiplier Events, including a final ConferenceRESULT AND IMPACTResults expected to be achieved during and on the completion of the Project include:• Result 1: A deeper understanding of the new emerging needs in the sector is going to be achieved, and coherent policy recommendation against undeclared work is going to be presented. In combination with a solid and detailed Training Needs Analysis that is going to be implemented, we are going to provide evidence for understanding the nurse practitioners and the needs of cancer patients and their families.• Result 2: An Identification of skills mismatches in the nursing sector• Result 3: A Tailored analysis of ICT related skills mismatches in the nursing sector• Result 4: Development of the Training modules Outline using DACUM and design workshops at country level• Result 6: A Certification of Nurse Practitioners in an emerging area – ICT and psychology skills for clinical psycho - oncology is going to be developed and available in all participating countries.• Result 7: Further cooperation among our partners and the Health Professionals as well as other stakeholders we will reach through our dissemination events. LONG TERM BENEFITSLong term benefits include: • Nurses will acquire greater confidence and be better prepared for work in the sector • Teachers or tutors will acquire greater confidence in delivering skills curricula in order to prepare learners for work in the sector• Better understanding and appreciation of European best practice in live performance skills provision and policy • Stronger recognition of cross-sector working between the private, public and third sector (incl. education and industry) • Greater mobility opportunities facilitated as a result of the development this curricula.