About the Project
Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) are a digital innovation which enables patients to report symptoms and quality of life to their care team. Over a decade of research has shown that ePROMs improve quality of life, reduce unplanned hospital admissions, and prolong survival. Despite the evidence, implementation remains fragmented, limiting patient access to these benefits.
The 2026 National Cancer Plan for England identifies ePROMs as a priority, aligned with the NHS 10-Year Plan's commitment to improve care through digital technologies. As NHS adoption increases, robust evidence is needed on how ePROMs are implemented, their costs, and whether they provide value for money.
This PhD will address these evidence gaps by combining implementation science and health economic approaches to generate evidence that can inform policy, commissioning, and sustainable adoption of ePROMs in routine cancer care. It will address three interrelated research questions:
- How are ePROMs implemented and used in routine cancer care?
- What are the costs and budget impact of implementing ePROMs?
- Do ePROMs represent value for money across different patient groups?
The student will evaluate the UK's largest ePROMs programme at The Christie, which has reached over 40,000 patients and collected more than 150,000 ePROMs. Using implementation science methods, they will examine how ePROMs are delivered across cancer services and the resources required. They will estimate implementation costs and budget impact before evaluating value for money using health economic methods. Finally, they will investigate whether costs and benefits differ across patient groups, including those at risk of health inequalities.
Working with a multidisciplinary team, including patient partners, the student will develop expertise in digital health, implementation science, health economics, PPIE, and real-world evidence. The PhD will generate evidence to support the adoption of ePROMs across the NHS, helping ensure that all people affected by cancer can benefit.
Eligibility
You must be a post-registration clinician and therefore must hold an MBChB degree or equivalent medical degree and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
It is generally expected that CRTFs will return to a training programme in the UK upon completion of their research degree.
International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility information can be found on the University's Country Specific information page.
Before you Apply
Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.
How to Apply
Apply directly via this link: https://tinyurl.com/577zjazd or on the online application portal, select MCRC PhD Programme as the programme of study.
You may only apply for one project within this scheme. Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Supporting Statement
- Academic Certificates and Transcripts
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Further details are available on our website: CRUK Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester
Application Timeline
- Applications open: Monday, 5 October 2026
- Application deadline: Monday, 23 November 2026
- Interview date: Week commencing 11 January 2027
- Start date: September 2027
Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the University's activities. The full statement can be found here: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/getting-started/equality-diversity-inclusion/
Funding Notes
Clinical fellowships are typically tenable for three years, unless otherwise specified, although under limited circumstances they may extend to four years. The fellowship covers: running expenses, an appropriate salary aligned with the applicant's current salary and grade, and full coverage of University PhD fees at the UK/home fee rate.
International Candidates
We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries to high-performing EU and international candidates, covering PhD fees only. Bursaries do not include financial support for visa/health surcharges. We assess each EU and international candidate's suitability for a bursary at the application and interview stages.