INOVA+ has approved the DIGNITY project, a European initiative aiming to transform professional training in home-based palliative care across the continent. The project brings together universities and educational institutions from Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania and Cyprus.

In a context of high pressure on European health systems, the DIGNITY project (Enhancing Domiciliary Palliative Care through European Vocational Education and Training Excellence) promotes an integrated and humanised approach to end-of-life care that is recognised and validated in several EU countries.

In Portugal, the partnership is led by INOVA+ alongside the Polytechnic Institute of Beja and the Portuguese Association for Palliative Care. INOVA+ will oversee activities related to the project’s quality and evaluation.

The project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme under the Forward-Looking Action – Joint Qualifications for Vocational Education and Training scheme.

Challenges in the ageing of the European population

The growing demand for palliative care at home in Europe is driven by an ageing population and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. This requires structured and sustainable responses. The DIGNITY project aims to address the current lack of standardised and recognised qualifications for professionals working in this field. By training healthcare professionals, the initiative promotes a harmonised, transnational qualification, which is essential for meeting the emerging challenges posed by Europe’s ageing population.

Objectives of the DIGNITY project

The project’s primary goal is to develop and implement a transnational Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in home-based palliative care that aligns with European quality standards for training programme design.

With this in mind, the project aims to:

  • Create a European mobility network for students and health professionals to enable them to gain practical experience in different European contexts;
  • Improve the quality of life of people at the end of their lives by promoting humanised care that focuses on patient dignity;
  • Address the shortage of qualified professionals in palliative care;
  • Develop clinical, communication, psychosocial support, ethical and digital skills, which are fundamental to contemporary palliative care practice;
  • Strengthen relational and empathic skills when interacting with patients’ families.

The impact of the DIGNITY project on European healthcare

The project’s impact will be felt at various levels. It will raise awareness of the importance of home-based palliative care and promote the exchange of good practices and innovative approaches between countries. This will be achieved through joint qualifications in ‘Palliative Care and Dignity at the End of Life at Home’.

In the medium and long term, DIGNITY will support the European Union’s strategic objectives by improving the quality of healthcare and increasing the number of trained professionals available to respond to the growing demand for end-of-life care.

The project involves collaborating universities and vocational education and training institutions in Portugal, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania and Cyprus. These institutions have significant experience in palliative care and education, and will help ensure uniformity across Europe.

The first steps of the project

Over the coming months, the partnership will focus on mapping existing training offerings in this area, identifying common components and gaps among the partners. This will be followed by the joint development of a standardised, modular curriculum integrating clinical, psychosocial, ethical, digital and ecological skills.

The process will be developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including teachers, trainers and students, to ensure that the training effectively addresses the needs of the sector and healthcare professionals in Europe.