Clinical trials are changing. When trial teams can safely use the data already created in everyday care — hospital episodes, GP records, prescriptions, lab results — studies can run faster, cost less, and potentially reach more people. But making that shift isn’t automatic. It needs skills, confidence, and clear, practical guidance. That’s exactly what TOP-CAT (Transforming Outcomes through the use of health data in Clinical triAls Training) delivers — free, video-based training, which is now live on the HDR UK Futures platform.

TOP-CAT is part of HDR UK’s Transforming Data for Trials programme, which aims to “transform access to, and the utility, analysis and understanding of healthcare systems data to enable its use in clinical trials.” Take a look at the full programme details.

What training is live now (and why it helps)

1) Introductory module —Using healthcare systems data in trials
A clear, practical orientation to using healthcare systems datasets (HSD) in trials: what they are, why they matter to researchers, policy-makers and the public, and how the HDR UK programme is enabling their use. This is ideal for anyone curious about data-enabled trials and where to begin.

2) Data utility comparison study (DUCkS)
How do you know if routinely collected outcomes can supplement — or even replace — trial-collected outcomes? This module explores DUCkS design and application (retrospective and prospective), with real-world case study thinking to help you decide what’s fit-for-purpose. Watch now.

3) Three five–seven minute “bitesize” videos
Short, focused explainers you can slot into team meetings, journal clubs, or onboarding packs:

  • Transforming data for trials:— Synthetic data for clinical trials
  • Types, use-cases, and UK examples; balanced with researcher, data-owner and public perspectives. Watch now.
  • Transforming Data for Trials: Why public trust matters for data-enabled trials — what trust is (and isn’t), how it varies across populations, and how it shapes inclusive participation. Watch now.
  • Transforming Data for Trials: Engaging underserved groups in data-enabled trials — practical strategies for building trust, co-designing with communities and reducing barriers to participation. Watch now.

All resources are free on HDR UK Futures and designed to be used standalone or integrated into team training.

Who’s this training for?

  • Trial managers and delivery teams — planning, feasibility, recruitment/retention and site set-up.
  • Data managers, statisticians and analysts — data flows, utility checks, linkage and outcome strategy.
  • Clinical leads and PIs — understanding risk/benefit, efficiency and inclusivity gains.
  • Public contributors and PPI leads — co-designing trustworthy approaches from the outset.

HDR UK Futures courses are built to support career progression and upskilling, whether you’re new to data-enabled trials or formalising prior experience.

Built by trialists, shaped with the public

These resources were designed with experienced trial teams and public contributors to keep guidance grounded and usable across roles — not just for technical specialists. The emphasis is on transparency, trust and real-world relevance. Fiona Lugg-Widger, Deputy Director for Data, Centre for Trials Research said:

“We know there’s real appetite across the trials community to use routine health data – but we also recognise that there are unique challenges of working with this type of data. These new resources are designed to meet teams where they are and help build confidence in designing and running data-enabled trials”.

That dual focus — opportunity and trustworthiness — runs throughout TOP-CAT. From synthetic data primers to engaging underserved groups, the resources help teams move beyond abstract intent to practical, ethical action.

Meet the tutors (and what they bring)

  • Professor Mike Robling — Co-Director, Centre for Trials Research. Brings broad experience across primary/secondary care, community and social care evaluations, and a focus on rigorous methods to improve health and wellbeing. Tutors on the Building Public Trust course (CPD-accredited) exploring the why/how/when/who of engagement, trustworthiness, funding and impact.
  • Rob Trubey — Researcher and routine data study manager at CTR; tutor on Introduction to Data-Enabled Clinical Trials and contributor to the Transforming Data for Trials workstream, with expertise in public involvement and evaluating routine data sources for trials.
  • Fiona Lugg-Widger — Deputy Director for Data at CTR; tutor on Introduction to Data-Enabled Clinical Trials and a core member of the Transforming Data for Trials team developing training to enhance routine data use.
  • Amaka Dibigbo — Futures tutor, public health advocate and co-founder of Communect; interests include meaningful public involvement, bridging policy to frontline care, and supporting equity through culturally sensitive approaches. Contributes to the Data-enabled Trials: Bitesize Topics

No matter your role, you’ll hear from people who have done the work — and are making it easier for others to follow.

Why public trust isn’t optional

Data-enabled methods can speed up evidence generation and make trials more inclusive — but only if people trust how their data is used. That’s why the training includes focused content on:

  • Plain-language engagement: explaining what data is used, why, and how it’s safeguarded.
  • Trustworthiness in practice: showing your workings (governance, oversight, routes for feedback).
  • Equity and inclusion: partnering with communities, co-designing materials, and tailoring approaches so underserved groups aren’t left out.

If your study plans to draw on routine data, building trust is part of the method, not an afterthought.

Data utility: making the right call, not the easy call

A central question for many teams is “Are these routine outcomes good enough for our trial purpose?” The DUCkS module is about making that judgement with structure:

  • Comparators: trial-collected vs routine outcomes.
  • Design choices: retrospective vs prospective utility checks.
  • Interpretation: what “good enough” looks like in context (precision, completeness, timeliness).
  • Action: when to supplement, when to substitute, and when to rethink.

This is practical decision-support you can embed in protocols and SAPs.

How to use TOP-CAT with your team

  1. Start with the introductory module
    Use it as a shared baseline across PIs, TMs, data and delivery teams; follow with a 10-minute debrief to capture actions or open questions. Watch now.
  2. Schedule a “DUCkS hour”
    Block a short team session to watch the DUCkS module and map what a utility check would look like for your current or upcoming study (prospective if you can). Watch now.
  3. Drop “bitesize” into meetings
    Play one five–seven minute video at the top of each governance or methods meeting to build literacy across the trial lifecycle — synthetic data, trust, underserved groups. Watch now.

Access and next steps

  • Browse and enrol on HDR UK Futures: [INSERT LINK TO HDR UK FUTURES – TOP-CAT COLLECTION]. Courses on Futures are free to join and suitable for individual learning or team CPD.
  • Explore the wider programme, which includes information about background, goals and partners in Transforming Data for Trials.
  • Share the videos: add the links above to your study Slack/Teams, SOP packs or onboarding checklists.

If you work in trials and want to save time, reduce cost, and reach more people without compromising quality, TOP-CAT gives you the building blocks — from foundational literacy to hands-on decisions about data utility and inclusive engagement. Click a video, learn one thing and apply it this week.

Quick links (add these to bookmarks)

  • Introductory Module: Using healthcare systems data (HSD) in trials. Watch now.
  • Data Utility Comparison Studies (DUCkS) – practical methods to compare routine vs trial-collected data.
  • Bitesize video –Synthetic data for clinical trials. Watch now.
  • Bitesize video – Why public trust matters for data-enabled trials. Watch now.
  • Bitesize video – Engaging underserved groups in data-enabled trials. Watch now.

HDR UK Futures hosts hundreds of health data science courses to support career development and upskilling. To browse the full TOP-CAT collection head to HDR UK Futures.