The DIDACT Foundation was established with the mission to expand structured training and mentoring opportunities in clinical trial delivery for trainee UK haematologists.
DIDACT’s mission to train and mentor the next generation of UK blood cancer triallists(www.ACT4patients.com) to professionalize the training of the next generation of UK blood cancer triallists.
“Recognising that effective clinical trial delivery requires a wide and varied skill set, the DIDACT Foundation has established a dedicated Academyfor junior consultants and senior haemato-oncology trainees,” said Prof. Charlie Craddock, CBE, FRCP (UK), FRCPath, DPhil, chair of the DIDACT Strategic Oversight Committee.
Led by Prof. Mhairi Copland, MBChB, PhD, professor of translational haematology at the University of Glasgow, the DIDACT Academy meets twice a year, once virtually and once in person for an intensive 24-hour programme. Trainees are selected through a competitive process and work in small groups to gain practical experience across multiple aspects of trial development.
Training focuses on clinical trial design, working with the pharmaceutical sector, and optimising patient and public involvement. Participants also receive instruction in grant writing and presenting scientific ideas to professional audiences. One of the most distinctive elements of the Academy is its Dragons’ Den-style exercise.
“In this highly engaging session, trainees have the opportunity to participate in a Dragons’ Den format, where they split into groups and pitch potential clinical trials,” Prof. Craddock said.
“Remarkably, what began as a teaching tool has turned out to be the most exciting and effective way to teach. To our amazement and delight, this approach has already delivered two funded prospective clinical trial concepts in just the first few years,” he said. “It is increasingly recognised that structured and engaging training programmes are essential if we are to optimise delivery of complex trials in the UK. This, coupled with the commitment from an outstanding faculty, does much to explain the popularity of this new initiative.”
Formal mentorship as a second pillar
Another priority for the DIDACT Foundation has been the establishment of a formal mentoring programme for trainees, which represents one of the first structured mentoring initiatives for trainee haematologists and oncologists in the UK. DIDACT is excited to play a central role in SOHO UK, given the emphasis SOHO has always placed on training and mentoring.
“We are completely delighted that DIDACT’s commitment to the importance of high-quality mentoring is being extended into SOHO UK. The philosophy of SOHO UK overlaps so closely with DIDACT’s central mission of prioritising training for the next generation,” Prof. Craddock said.
Advisory boards and patient panels
In addition to education and mentorship, DIDACT has taken on a broader role in strengthening the UK clinical research environment. Through the work of its CEO Dr. Paul Robinson, DIDACT has delivered a number of advisory boards for the global pharmaceutical sector and is now extending this work into the development of patient panels to integrate patient perspectives into drug development and trial design.
“The patient voice is valuable as clinicians and pharmaceutical companies work to develop practice-changing trials, and we believe DIDACT’s achievements in this regard can be extended to other diseases,” said Dr. Robinson.
“It has been hugely gratifying to observe the appetite for DIDACT’s diverse educational proposition from the UK haemato-oncology community,” observed Prof. Craddock. “It is especially exciting to see the enthusiasm from so many junior colleagues who recognise effective trial delivery plays such a pivotal role in optimising patient outcomes. It is already evident how important the work of DIDACT is in attracting trials to the UK. In conjunction with initiatives such as SOHO UK, this importance will continue to increase in future years.”
