Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

5 Minute 'HOT' Trauma CT Rates Of Detection Study

This study aims to improve how quickly and accurately doctors, especially those in the emergency department, can identify life-threatening injuries on CT scans after a major accident. Often, a specialist radiologist isn't immediately available to fully review these urgent scans, but other medical staff can look at them quickly. The study is testing if a special training programme and a checklist can help these doctors make more accurate first assessments of the CT images. This will be done through an online educational package. The goal is to ensure that critical injuries are spotted as quickly as possible, potentially leading to faster treatment for severely injured patients.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust

Enrolment target

300

Start

30 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

28 Feb 2027

Trauma (Including Fractures)Trauma Abdomen Trauma Blunt Trauma Centers

What is this study about?

When someone has a serious accident, doctors often need to get a CT scan very quickly to see if there are any major internal injuries, like broken bones or internal bleeding. These scans are crucial for deciding the best and fastest way to treat the patient.

Sometimes, after a CT scan is done, a specialist doctor called a radiologist, who is an expert in reading these images, might not be available to give an immediate, detailed report. However, other doctors, like those in the emergency department, can access and quickly look at these scans themselves. This quick look is sometimes called a 'hot report'.

This study wants to find out if giving these doctors special training and a checklist can help them spot life-threatening injuries more accurately when they do a 'hot report'. The researchers believe that a structured approach could improve how well these urgent scans are understood, leading to better and quicker care for injured patients. It's about making sure that even when a radiologist isn't there instantly, important injuries aren't missed.

Key takeaways

A study looking at improving quick spotting of serious CT scan injuries.
Tests if training and a checklist help emergency doctors.
Aims to make 'hot reports' of trauma CTs more accurate.
Participation involves an online educational package.
Could lead to faster and better treatment for accident victims.
Open to medical professionals who review trauma CT scans.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for medical professionals who are involved in checking trauma CT scans. This includes doctors who work in emergency departments, radiologists (specialist image readers), and other healthcare professionals who might review these types of scans.

To take part, you must be a medical professional or clinician who already has some experience reviewing CT images. You also need to be 18 years old or over.

Unfortunately, if you're unable to review CT scans because you lack experience or have a disability that prevents it, or if you're not a medical professional, you wouldn't be able to join this study.

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 a medical professional or clinician?
Do you get involved in reviewing CT images for injured patients?
Do you have some prior experience with CT image review?
Are you 18 years old or older?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be one of over 300 medical professionals taking part. You'll be asked to complete an online educational package. This package is designed to teach you a standardised way of reviewing urgent CT scans and using a checklist to help identify injuries. Your progress and answers within the online platform will be recorded, but your personal details will be kept separate and secure. You'll be using this training to review a set of anonymised CT scan cases. This is an online study, so there are no in-person visits required.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help improve how quickly and accurately serious injuries are spotted on urgent CT scans, potentially benefiting future patients. The main potential benefit for participants is gaining new knowledge or reinforcing existing skills in reviewing CT scans. There are no anticipated physical risks. The main commitment is your time to complete the online educational package. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

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

University Hospitals Plymouth
Verified postcode
Plymouth, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'hot report'?

A 'hot report' is when a doctor, often in the emergency department, quickly looks at an urgent CT scan to spot any immediate life-threatening injuries, even before a specialist radiologist has done a full review.

Who is running this study?

This study is being conducted by medical researchers to improve trauma care.

Do I need to be a radiologist to join?

No, while radiologists can participate, the study is particularly interested in doctors from emergency departments and other specialities who review trauma CT scans.

What kind of training will I receive?

You will receive an online educational package which includes guidance on a standardised approach and a checklist for reviewing trauma CT scans.

Will my personal details be safe?

Yes, your participation data will be collected anonymously through the online platform, with your unique identifier separately linked to your demographic details on secure hospital systems.

How to find out more

Paul Jenkins, BMBS, BSc (Hons), FRCR, EBIR

pjenkins1@nhs.net +441752430838 Official trial record

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