RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Procedural Skills Transfer in Bronchoscopy

This study, called 'Procedural Skills Transfer in Bronchoscopy,' is looking at how doctors learn to perform bronchoscopies. A bronchoscopy is a procedure where a thin tube is passed into your lungs to check for problems or take samples. We want to make sure new doctors can learn this procedure safely and effectively. To do this, we will collect information from patients who are already having a bronchoscopy, such as their CT scans and videos of the procedure, without asking them to do anything extra. Separately, experienced doctors will wear a special glove that records their hand movements while they perform the procedure. This information will help us develop new computer programs and training tools. The goal is to create better ways for future doctors to learn bronchoscopy, making the process quicker and improving patient safety.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

320

Start

06 May 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Respiratory Disease

What is this study about?

This study is about making a common lung procedure called a bronchoscopy safer and easier to learn for new doctors. A bronchoscopy involves a thin, flexible tube being gently guided into your lungs through your mouth or nose. Doctors use it to look inside your airways, examine them for any problems like inflammation, and sometimes take small samples.

Performing a bronchoscopy well takes skill and experience. It's known that doctors need a lot of practice, under supervision, to become expert at it. This study aims to help reduce this learning time and improve patient safety by creating better training methods. We're doing this by gathering information from those already undergoing the procedure and from the doctors performing it.

We will anonymously collect data like CT scans and videos from patients who are having a bronchoscopy anyway – you won't need to do anything extra. At the same time, up to 20 doctors will take part by completing a short questionnaire and wearing a special glove that records their hand movements during the procedure. This information will then be used to develop new computer programs and simulators. The hope is that these tools will make it much easier and quicker for future doctors to learn the procedure correctly, ultimately leading to safer experiences for patients.

Key takeaways

Aims to improve training for doctors doing bronchoscopies.
Uses existing patient CT scans and procedure videos (no extra tests for patients).
Doctors will wear a special glove during procedures to record hand movements.
Goal is to create better training tools and simulators.
Ultimately aims to make bronchoscopy safer for patients.
No additional risks or tasks for patients involved.

Who may be eligible?

This study involves two main groups of people: patients and doctors. You might be able to help with this study if you are a patient already scheduled to have a bronchoscopy and are at least 16 years old. You would also need to have had a CT scan in the eight weeks before your bronchoscopy and be able to understand and agree to take part.

If you haven't had a CT scan within the last eight weeks, you wouldn't be able to participate as a patient in this particular study.

For doctors, suitability depends on whether you are qualified to perform bronchoscopies, which includes doctors who are still training. You would need to be willing to take part and feel comfortable performing the procedure while wearing a special lightweight glove that tracks your hand movements.

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 16 years old or older?
Are you already scheduled for a bronchoscopy?
Did you have a CT scan in the last 8 weeks?
Are you able to understand and agree to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are a patient in Group 1, taking part in this study won't involve any extra visits or changes to your planned bronchoscopy. We will simply use your existing CT scans and videos from your procedure, which you would be having anyway. There are no additional samples taken from you, and it won't add any extra time to your hospital visit. Your involvement is completely passive and anonymous.

If you are a doctor in Group 2, your participation would involve answering a short questionnaire about your experience performing bronchoscopies. During the actual bronchoscopy procedures you perform, you would be asked to wear a lightweight sensory glove on your hand. This glove will record your hand movements as you carry out the procedure.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of this study is for future patients, as it aims to improve the training of doctors in performing bronchoscopies, potentially making the procedure safer. For patients taking part, there are no direct benefits as you are simply allowing the use of your existing medical imaging and procedure videos; however, there are also no additional risks as you are not undergoing any extra tests or procedures. For doctors, wearing a lightweight glove is a minor inconvenience with no known risks. No matter your role, you have the absolute right to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your medical care or employment.

Locations (1)

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

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Verified postcode
Edinburgh, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a bronchoscopy?

It's a procedure where a thin tube is passed into your lungs to look inside your airways and check for problems.

Will I have to do anything extra if I'm a patient in this study?

No, if you're a patient, you won't have any extra appointments, tests, or time commitments beyond your planned bronchoscopy.

Why are you doing this study?

We want to improve how new doctors learn to perform bronchoscopies, making the procedure safer and easier to master.

What will doctors have to do?

Doctors will fill out a short questionnaire and wear a special glove that tracks their hand movements during the procedure.

Is my information kept private?

Yes, all patient information used in the study will be anonymous to protect your privacy.

How to find out more

Adam Marshall

adam.marshall@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk 0131 6518293 Official trial record

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