As a first step, four rounds of questionnaires were conducted among more than 40 European health professionals from various disciplines. This process identified the essential data to be included in the minimal dataset of the GerOnTe dashboard, covering cancer, comorbidities, intrinsic capacity assessment, patient preferences, and real-time symptom monitoring. Major symptoms and patient-reported outcomes are collected in real time during treatment, with defined alert thresholds and collection frequencies. A library of patient advice was also developed to support symptom management and promote healthy ageing. The minimum composition of the Health Professional Consortium (HPC) was established, forming the operational basis of the project.
An initial attempt to develop the web application failed following MyPL’s liquidation. myPatientSpace (an Irish company) successfully replaced MyPL and delivered a web platform comprising a patient-facing app for PROMs collection and symptom management, with a professional dashboard. This allowed the FRONE study to start in eight French centres in October 2024, with coordination by the EUCLID clinical trial unit (CTU) and support from the rest of the consortium.
In parallel, Bocconi University delivered the literature review on cost-effectiveness, the economic evaluation and business case protocols, and a dashboard of clinical trial indicators. Following these analyses and stakeholder discussions, the TWOBE study (originally planned in Belgium and the Netherlands) was replaced by the IMPLEMENT study, an observational study conducted across 20 centres in five European countries to analyse current care pathways from clinical, organisational, and economic perspectives.
Dublin City University developed the GerOnTe evaluation process protocol, contributed to the app co-creation and partner consultations, and attended the Site Initiation Visits for FRONE. The initial program theory, based on a scoping review, is in its final draft and aims to identify barriers and facilitators affecting the implementation of the GerOnTe care pathway.
The e-Senior partner supported digital development through focus groups, app testing, and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure the tool’s usability and acceptability. They delivered a coordination strategy, practical guidebooks, focus group tools for Work Packages, and the report on small-scale pilots, as well as training materials (manuals and videos) for FRONE participants.
The communication and dissemination strategy was reinforced through a unified visual identity, website, social media presence, newsletters, and brochures, ensuring engagement with professionals and patients alike. Public outreach is planned at later stages.
All developments were conducted in accordance with the ethics management plan, under the supervision of an independent ethics advisor and an ethics committee representing all Work Packages.
