RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Strategy for EArly Recognition of Cancer, COPD & Heart Failure in the Emergency Department

This study, called SEARCH-ED, is taking place in the Emergency Department at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. It's looking into whether a special computer program, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), can help doctors spot heart and lung problems, including certain cancers, from chest X-rays more effectively. The main goal is to compare how many people are diagnosed with a new heart or lung condition when doctors use this computer program alongside their usual checks, compared to when they don't. The computer program has already been approved for use in the UK and tested for safety. The hope is that this technology could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses for patients coming into A&E.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Enrolment target

17,000

Start

25 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Cancer Cardiovascular Respiratory

What is this study about?

Imagine you go to a hospital's Accident and Emergency (A&E) department and need a chest X-ray. Doctors look at these X-rays to understand what might be causing your symptoms. Sometimes, these X-rays can show early signs of serious problems like heart failure, a lung condition called COPD, or even lung cancer. While all doctors can read X-rays, specialist doctors called radiologists also look at them in detail and provide a report. This report can sometimes take a while to come back, and doctors might occasionally miss subtle signs.

This study, called SEARCH-ED, is trying something new. It's using a special computer program that's designed to quickly look at chest X-rays and highlight potential issues. This program has been checked for safety and is already approved for use in the UK. The study wants to see if, by giving doctors access to the computer program's findings, they can identify these heart and lung problems sooner and more accurately for people coming into A&E.

Basically, the study is comparing two approaches: doctors looking at X-rays with the help of the computer program, versus doctors looking at X-rays without it. They want to see if having the computer program makes a difference in how many patients get a new diagnosis of a heart or lung problem. The aim is to hopefully improve patient care by helping doctors make quicker and more precise diagnoses.

Key takeaways

A computer program is being tested to help doctors diagnose heart and lung problems from X-rays faster.
The study takes place in the A&E department at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
It aims to improve early detection of conditions like heart failure, COPD, and lung cancer.
Your standard medical care in A&E will not change.
If the program spots something new, you might be offered further diagnostic tests.
You have the right to ask for your X-ray data to be excluded from the study.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of the main study looking at how the computer program works, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a chest X-ray taken in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's A&E department. The study uses these X-rays anonymously, meaning your name won't be linked to them for this part of the research.

If the computer program flags your X-ray for certain new heart or lung problems (like heart failure or COPD), and you haven't been diagnosed or tested for them before, you might be invited for a further check-up at a special hospital clinic after you leave A&E. This invitation would only be for patients living locally and not seriously unwell with long-term illness.

There are also separate parts of the study involving small group discussions (focus groups) for patients and hospital staff. To join these, you'd need to be over 18 and able to understand and sign a consent form in English. You can also ask to be removed from the study if you prefer not to have your X-ray looked at by the computer program.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you having a chest X-ray at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's A&E?
Do you live in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area (for follow-up clinic invitations)?
Have you *not* asked your hospital to exclude your data from AI research?
Are you not receiving palliative care or severely frail?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you have a chest X-ray in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's A&E department and are over 18, your X-ray might be included in the study. This means the special computer program will also look at your X-ray alongside the doctors. You won't notice any difference in your care in A&E, and your X-ray results will be used anonymously for the research unless a potential problem is found.

If the computer program spots signs of new heart failure or COPD on your X-ray, and you haven't had these diagnosed before, you might be invited for a follow-up appointment at a hospital clinic. This extra check-up would involve further tests to look into the findings. If the computer program highlights signs of lung cancer, a specialist radiologist will review your X-ray quickly and make sure you get appropriate care. These extra checks are aimed at helping you get the right diagnosis and care.

Some patients and staff will also be invited to attend group discussions (focus groups) to share their thoughts and experiences about the computer program. This would involve attending a meeting and discussing your views. The overall duration of your involvement would depend on whether you are invited to a follow-up clinic or a focus group.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of this study is that the computer program might help doctors find serious heart and lung conditions earlier, which could lead to better and faster treatment for you. There are no direct physical risks from participating, as the study mainly involves the computer looking at your existing X-rays. If you are invited for a follow-up clinic, this would involve further medical checks. You have the right to ask for your X-ray data to be excluded from the study at any time, even if you initially participated without giving specific consent.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The study wants to see if a computer program can help doctors find heart and lung problems earlier and more accurately from chest X-rays in A&E.

Who can be part of this study?

Anyone aged 18 or over who has a chest X-ray in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's A&E department.

Will my regular care be different if I'm in the study?

No, your care in A&E will remain the same. The computer program looks at your X-ray alongside the doctors' usual checks.

What happens if the computer program finds something?

If it flags a new heart or lung problem, you might be invited for further checks at a clinic. If it flags cancer, specialists will review it immediately.

Can I choose not to be included in the study?

Yes, you can ask for your X-ray data to be removed from the study at any time.

How to find out more

Clea Du Toit

clea.dutoit@nhs.scot 0141 314 4328 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.