A part-time position is available for an individual to be appointed at the level of Research Assistant in Health Economics. The successful applicant will mainly work with Professor Katherine Payne with Dr Joe Hilton and Tonia Momoh on a specific project. One initial project will be the focus for this position but the individual will be expected to work on new projects as they are funded.
Initial study to compare the carbon footprint, patient experience and resources of standard and hypofractionated radiotherapy (IMPRINT):
The NHS aims to be net zero by 2040. Radiotherapy (RT) has a high environmental impact as about 120,000 UK cancer patients (50% of all cancer patients) are treated per year. Also, RT uses linear accelerators (linacs) to treat patients with high energy radiation requiring a high number of visits per patient (typically 15-30), with implications for patient transport. Recent clinical trials show that shorter courses of RT (delivered over 3-5 visits) are as effective as standard courses (15-30 visits) for tumour control and toxicity in many patient groups. This approach, “hypofractionation” may significantly reduce the carbon footprint of RT, since patient travel forms 70%.
In addition, hypofractionation would:
1. reduce travel time to a RT centre increasing the likelihood of patients receiving a full course of RT especially for more deprived groups,
2. greater acceptability to patients, and
3. free up staff and equipment resources to help clear the backlog of cancer cases.
This study aims to provide evidence on the feasibility of a definitive evaluation of moving from standard to hypofractionated RT schedules for two exemplar cancers (breast and prostate). There are four objectives:
1. To elicit the views of key decision-makers about the main barriers to implementing hypofractionation, with a focus on the role of carbon footprint of treatment
2. To quantify the possible reduction in carbon footprint from increased adoption of hypofractionation over the UK
3. To identify the feasibility of assessing the impact of moving to hypofractionation for patients, in terms of travel, acceptability and other concerns identified
4. To produce indicative estimates of the effect on workflows and hospital costs of hypofractionation versus standard RT.
The research assistant employed on this study will mainly contribute to data collection from the individual study sites including generating relevant PLICs data (Patient Level Information and Costing System (PLICS) Data Collections - NHS England Digital) to meet objectives (ii) and (iv). This project is led by Robert Chuter, Principal Clinical Scientist in the Department of Medical Physics and Engineering at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. It involves working with health economists, behavioural scientists, clinicians and experts in sustainable health care.
What you will get in return:
* Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
* Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
* Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
* Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
* Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
Our University is positive about flexible working.
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Katherine Payne
Email: katherine.payne@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
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