RAP

what is it and how can my team start using it effectively?

Mar 9, 2023

What is RAP

a process in which code is used to minimise manual, undocumented steps, and a clear, properly documented process is produced in code which can reliably give the same result from the same dataset
RAP should be:

the core working practice that must be supported by all platforms and teams; make this a core focus of NHS analyst training

Goldacre review

What are we trying to achieve?

Legibility
Reproducibility
Accuracy
Laziness

What are some of the fundamental principles?

Predictability, reducing mental load, and reducing truck factor
Making it easy to collaborate with yourself and others on different computers, in the cloud, in six months’ time…
DRY

The road to RAP

We’re roughly using NHS Digital’s RAP stages
There is an incredibly large amount to learn!
Confession time! (everything I do not know…)
You don’t need to do it all at once
You don’t need to do it all at all ever
Each thing you learn will incrementally help you
Remember- that’s why we learnt this stuff. Because it helped us. And it can help you too

Levels of RAP- Baseline

Data produced by code in an open-source language (e.g., Python, R, SQL).
Code is version controlled (see Git basics and using Git collaboratively guides).
Repository includes a README.md file (or equivalent) that clearly details steps a user must follow to reproduce the code
Code has been peer reviewed.
Code is published in the open and linked to & from accompanying publication (if relevant).

Source: NHS Digital RAP community of practice

Levels of RAP- Silver

Code is well-documented…
Code is well-organised following standard directory format
Reusable functions and/or classes are used where appropriate
Pipeline includes a testing framework
Repository includes dependency information (e.g. requirements.txt, PipFile, environment.yml
Data is handled and output in a Tidy data format

Source: NHS Digital RAP community of practice

Levels of RAP- Gold

Code is fully packaged
Repository automatically runs tests etc. via CI/CD or a different integration/deployment tool e.g. GitHub Actions
Process runs based on event-based triggers (e.g., new data in database) or on a schedule
Changes to the RAP are clearly signposted. E.g. a changelog in the package, releases etc. (See gov.uk info on Semantic Versioning)

Source: NHS Digital RAP community of practice

A learning journey to get you there

Code style, organising your files
Functions and iteration
Git and GitHub
Packaging your code
Testing
Package management and versioning

How we can help each other get there

Work as a team!
Coffee and coding!
Ask for help!
Do pair coding!
Get your code reviewed!
Join the NHS-R/ NHSPycom communities

HACA

The first national analytics conference for health and care
Insight to action!
July 11th and 12th, University of Birmingham
Accepting abstracts for short and long talks and posters
Abstract deadline 27th March
Help is available (with abstract, poster, preparing presentation…)!