EU Overview and Recommendations: International Collaboration in Telemedicine

EU Overview and Recommendations: International Collaboration in Telemedicine is an advanced training course designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of cross-border cooperation in telemedicine within the European and international context. The course equips healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, and policy stakeholders with the knowledge required to navigate EU policies, funding mechanisms, and collaborative networks that support digital health innovation and telemedicine deployment. The course begins by introducing the foundations of international collaboration in telemedicine, highlighting the growing need for cross-border digital healthcare solutions to improve access, quality, and continuity of care. Participants explore the European policy landscape shaping telemedicine, including key regulatory frameworks such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and GDPR, with a focus on interoperability, data security, and patient rights in cross-border healthcare. Common legal, technical, and organizational barriers to international telemedicine collaboration are examined, alongside practical strategies for overcoming them.

A central component of the course focuses on EU funding opportunities, with particular emphasis on the Erasmus+ Programme. Participants gain a clear understanding of Erasmus+ Key Actions (KA1, KA2, Alliances for Innovation, and Capacity Building in Higher Education) and how these instruments support education, training, mobility, and cooperation in telemedicine and digital health. Guidance is provided on designing, applying for, and implementing EU-funded telemedicine projects, including partnership building, project management, and impact generation. The course also explores the role of international networks and associations in advancing telemedicine, such as global and European digital health communities. Learners are encouraged to actively engage in these networks to foster collaboration, exchange best practices, and support innovation. Delivered through a blend of lectures and practical activities, the course enables participants to develop concrete strategies for international telemedicine cooperation, positioning them to contribute effectively to EU-funded projects and global digital health initiatives.