ExACT

The European network staff eXchange for integrAting precision health in the health Care sysTems (ExACT): a Marie Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project

ExACT has come to an end.

The ExACT project (European network staff eXchange for integrAting precision health in the health Care sysTems) has been completed. The project aimed at building a community of academic and non-academic institutions generating high quality, multidisciplinary collaboration by exchanging knowledge in research and training activities on precision health.

EUPHA was a partner in this staff exchange and research project. Between 2019 and 2024, EUPHA hosted over 15 seconded staff who, in collaboration with VUMC (Amsterdam) and Erasmus MC (Rotterdam), worked on joint research agendas and increased their knowledge of the ins and outs of European public health. EUPHA carried out research on the Design and promote innovative citizen engagement models. A scoping review was conducted to identify citizen engagement initiatives in precision health. Findings highlighted a growing interest in digital engagement methods and the necessity for meaningful citizen participation in the evolution of personalized healthcare. Another task focused on assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of citizen engagement models by establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This involved developing a comprehensive set of indicators through focus group discussions with representatives of the ExACT consortium.

A third task EUPHA was involved in focused on developing a citizen engagement model to enhance communication between health professionals and citizens regarding precision health. To achieve this, a systematic review of existing initiatives, programs, and projects in personalized/precision health was conducted. The initiatives were categorized using the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) framework, which defines five levels of public engagement: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, and Empower. This structured approach helps identify the degree of public involvement in decision-making processes, ensuring that citizen voices are effectively integrated into precision health initiatives.

Research results were published:
Pezzullo AM, Sassano M, Hoxhaj I, Pastorino R, Boccia S. "Citizen Engagement Initiatives in Precision Health in the European Union Member States: A Scoping Review." BMJ Open. 2021 Jul 9;11(7) doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045846. 

More results will soon be submitted to a scientific journal for peer review and publication. 

A summary video presenting the final results of the ExACT project is available here.

More information on the project website.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 823995.