In this blog series we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the Faculty’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to PPIE’ awards. Showcasing the inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlighting the amazing events, activities, people and groups from across the Faculty.   

Our next blog in this series will feature RAPID-RT, a research programme undertaken by a team of researchers, patients, carers, clinicians and members of the public, to develop innovative and inclusive methods for evaluating the effects of changes in cancer treatment protocol on patient outcomes. The team were highly commended in the inclusivity category at the 2024 awards.  

Traditional clinical trials can span over several years and often exclude diverse patient demographics due to complex consent processes and strict eligibility criteria, limiting their application to real-world patient populations. RAPID-RT seeks to address these issues by adopting a more inclusive and patient-friendly methodology known as rapid learning. 

The rapid-learning approach, pioneered by the team, includes all patients, regardless of age, medical conditions, or fitness levels. By leveraging real-world patient data, already collected during routine appointments, the impact of small changes in radiotherapy treatment on patient outcomes can be monitored and assessed in real-time, allowing clinical teams to respond and adapt accordingly.  

A key component of RAPID-RT is the co-development and adoption of an innovative approach to patient consent. Traditional consent models, which require patients to opt in through complex and often overwhelming documentation, can deter participation and result in the under-representation of certain patient populations in clinical research.  

To address this, the team organised a Citizens’ Jury, bringing together a group of 24 stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, and local residents, reflective of Manchester’s diverse population in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and neighbourhood. Over the course of two days, the jury engaged in informed discussions, guided by expert witnesses who presented balanced perspectives on consent processes, to develop a more simplified and accessible consent model. Patient co-applicants played a pivotal role in reviewing ‘jury-facing’ material, ensuring representation and addressing biases.  

The jury’s emphasis on autonomy, trust, and respect guided their decision that an informed opt-out consent approach, delivered by their health care team in a simplified and concise manner, was the most appropriate ways to ask patients to participate in the RAPID-RT study.  

The impact of RAPID-RT’s inclusive and streamlined approach to patient consent is already evident. Since its launch in April 2023, the RAPID-RT clinical study has invited patients at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust with stage I to III lung cancer receiving standard radiotherapy to participate by including their data in the study through an informed opt-out process. Within just 12 months, over 500 patients have been included, with only one opting out. 

RAPID-RT aims to extend its inclusive methodology to other treatment types and healthcare settings across the NHS, setting a new standard for patient-centred research practices and cancer treatment evaluation. The programme’s is laying the foundations for more representative clinical research, ensuring that all patients can contribute to and benefit from advancements in cancer treatment. 

Find out more: 

• Visit the RAPID-RT programme website 

• Vocal – Citizen Jury [Youtube] 

To find out more about PPIE: watch our short film, sign up to the monthly Public Engagement Digest, visit the PPIE blog, or contact srbmh@manchester.ac.uk.      

To read more about other PPIE Award winners visit here.   

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