INSPIRE-FRI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
INSPIRE-FRI (Investigation of Severity, Prevalence, Impact, and Risk Evaluation of Fracture Related Infections): A qualitative study of the lived experience, quality of life, and service needs of adults treated for fracture related infection at a UK Major Trauma Centre
IRAS ID
362689
Contact name
Tanjot Singh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 14 days
Research summary
Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a serious complication that can occur after a broken bone is treated with surgery. It can lead to repeated operations, long courses of antibiotics, and months or years of recovery. While medical teams often measure success by clearing the infection and healing the bone, people affected by FRI often face other long-lasting challenges, such as pain, reduced mobility, loss of work, changes in relationships, and worry about the future.
These wider effects are not well understood or routinely measured in the UK.
This study will explore the experiences of adults who have been treated for FRI at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust. We will invite about 20–30 people, aiming to include a range of ages, genders, types of fracture, and treatment histories. Each person will take part in a single research visit at Leeds General Infirmary.
During the visit, participants will complete short questionnaires about their health and daily function, and take part in a one-to-one interview lasting around 30–60 minutes. The interview will use open-ended questions to encourage people to describe their recovery in their own words, including the physical, emotional, social, and financial impacts, sources of support, and experiences with NHS services. Interviews will be audio-recorded, written up (with names and other personal details removed), and analysed for themes.
The aim is to understand what matters most to people living with and recovering from FRI, and to identify areas where care and support could be improved. Findings will be shared with patients, healthcare professionals, and service planners. A plain-English summary will be offered to all participants, and the results will also be published in journals and presented at conferences.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0387
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion