You are invited to consider participating in a research study entitled “Patterns of tertiary and quaternary support for, and current status of colorectal surgical practice in rural and remote Australia.”

This study is being conducted through the Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, as part of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program undertaken by Dr William Ziaziaris, under the supervision of Professor Michael Solomon. The study has received Human Research Ethics Committee approval through Sydney Local Health District.

The purpose of this study is to characterise current colorectal surgical practice in rural and remote Australia, including outreach, service capability, perceived limitations, and existing models of tertiary and quaternary support.

Participation involves completion of a short questionnaire either online or via hardcopy and is expected to take approximately 15 minutes.

All responses will be treated confidentially and analysed in aggregate. No individual surgeon or hospital will be identifiable in any publications or presentations arising from this research.

An information sheet providing further details about the study is available below via the survey link. Completion of the questionnaire will be taken as implied consent to participate.