RecruitingNot ApplicableInterventional

Medical utility of artificial intelligence for fracture detection in the emergency department

Many people go to A&E with suspected broken bones, and X-rays are often used to check. Sometimes, these breaks are missed or wrongly diagnosed, leading to ongoing pain or unnecessary treatments. This study tests an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program, RBFracture, which helps doctors look at X-rays. The AI highlights possible broken areas, aiming to make diagnoses more accurate and improve patient care. We want to find out if using this AI can reduce mistakes, help patients recover faster, and cut down on extra hospital visits. It's for anyone aged 2 and over who has an X-ray for a suspected break in an emergency department or minor injuries unit.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Not Applicable

Sponsor

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

Enrolment target

45,000

Start

28 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

30 Jul 2026

Patients undergoing X-ray for suspected fracture in the emergency department or minor injuries unit

What is this study about?

Imagine you've had a fall and you're worried you might have broken a bone. You go to an urgent care centre or A&E, and they take an X-ray. Sometimes, busy doctors or nurses might find it tricky to spot every small break, or they might think there's a break when there isn't one. When a broken bone is missed, it can mean you're in pain for longer, your recovery takes more time, and you might have to go back to the hospital. On the other hand, if you're told you have a broken bone when you don't, you might have treatments you don't need.

This study is looking at a new computer program called Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can help doctors and nurses. Think of it as a smart assistant that can quickly look at X-rays and point out areas where there might be a broken bone. The main goal of this study is to see if this AI tool can help our healthcare staff make more accurate decisions about X-rays. If it works well, it could mean patients get the right diagnosis and treatment more quickly, leading to faster recovery and fewer unnecessary hospital visits.

Over the next year, the study will be running in several NHS hospitals and minor injury units across the Thames Valley area. The AI will be turned on and off in different months. By comparing how well doctors diagnose with and without the AI, we can learn if it really makes a difference. Most people won't notice anything different about their care. We'll simply be gathering information from medical records to see if the AI helps reduce mistakes and improve patient experiences. Only a small group of patients will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire later on.

Key takeaways

This study uses AI to help doctors find broken bones on X-rays.
It aims to reduce misdiagnosis and improve patient care.
It's for people aged 2 and over having X-rays for suspected fractures.
There are no extra tests or changes to your usual care.
The AI is a support tool; doctors always make the final decisions.
You won't even know if the AI is on or off during your visit.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you are 2 years old or older and need to have an X-ray for a possible broken bone at an emergency department or minor injuries unit. This includes both children and adults.

However, there are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. If you are under 2 years old, or your X-ray is for very specific regions like your head, face, teeth, or neck bones, or for very specific reasons like suspected child abuse, then you cannot take part. Also, children under 18 who need X-rays of their lower back for a suspected break won't be included. If you have previously asked the NHS not to share your data for research, or if you tell us you don't want to be involved when you are at the hospital, you also won't be part of the 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 2 years old or older?
Are you having an X-ray for a suspected broken bone in A&E or a minor injuries unit?
Is your X-ray NOT for your head, face, teeth, or neck?
If you're under 18, is your X-ray NOT for your lower back?
Have you not chosen to opt-out of sharing your data for research?
Are you not having an X-ray because of suspected child abuse?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you will mostly receive your normal emergency care. This means you won't have any extra X-rays or tests specifically for the study. The special AI computer program will be running in the background when you have your X-ray taken, sometimes it will be helping the doctors and sometimes it won't, depending on the month you visit. The study team will then look at your medical records to see how accurately any fractures were diagnosed and if you needed many follow-up appointments. This process will happen for everyone included in the study. A very small number of patients (about 30 at each hospital involved) will also be asked if they are happy to receive a short questionnaire about their experience a month after their visit. The overall study will run for about 12 months, with patients included for a 6-month period within that time.

Potential risks and benefits

There are some potential benefits to being part of this study. If the AI helps doctors find fractures more accurately, it could mean you get the right treatment faster, experience less pain, recover more quickly, and need fewer visits back to the hospital. For those without fractures, it might reduce the chances of being told you have a break when you don't, avoiding unnecessary worry or treatment. The good news is that there are very few risks to you. The AI is just a tool to help doctors, and they will still make all the final decisions about your diagnosis and care. This means there are no new physical risks as you receive the usual care. While the AI, like any tool, might sometimes make a mistake, its performance will be carefully checked. You also have the right to opt out of the study at any time, either through the NHS national data opt-out system or by filling in a form at the hospital.

Locations (4)

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

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Oxford, England
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Oxford, England
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Reading, England
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
City only
Amersham, England

Common questions

What is AI?

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It's a special computer program designed to help doctors by quickly looking at X-rays and pointing out areas that might have a broken bone.

Will I get different care if I'm in the study?

No, you will receive the same high standard of care you normally would. The AI is a tool to help doctors and won't change your usual treatment plan.

Will I have more X-rays or tests?

No, you will not need any extra X-rays or tests. All the information for the study is collected from your routine medical care.

Who can be in this study?

Anyone aged 2 or older who has an X-ray for a suspected broken bone at an emergency department or minor injuries unit can be included, unless there are specific reasons not to (like X-rays of the face or very young children).

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, all your medical information is handled with strict privacy. The study team will only access the necessary details from your records and keep them secure.

How to find out more

Alex Novak

Alex.Novak@ouh.nhs.uk +44 (0)1865 231550 Official trial record

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