A mixed-methods study to identify the top 10 research priorities for perioperative medicine in Australia

Health and medical research leads to improvements in healthcare globally. Identifying research priorities is important to researchers, funders, our patients, and other end users. This can ensure that the research is more broadly accepted and has greater impact.

An adapted version of the James Lind Alliance method was used to identify research priorities. An initial survey was promoted via social media, print media, clinic visits, and an emailed invitation to active researchers. Individuals were asked to list three questions or priorities for research in perioperative medicine. These responses were then collated into themes to match recommended standardised trial endpoints, followed by informal systematic reviews to identify the unanswered questions (priorities). These were then added to a 1000minds priority survey, and a working group then met to discuss and agree on the top 10 priorities.

The first surveys resulted in 200 individual responses and 544 lines of text for analysis, with 60% of respondents being consumers (patients, carers, or knew someone who underwent surgery). The second survey consisted of 100 respondents, with 45% as patients/consumers. The top 10 research priorities covered equitable access to information and quality of care for culturally and linguistically diverse populations, preoperative decision-making, partnering in care, reducing infections after surgery, preanaesthetic health questionnaires, patient-centred care, preoperative fasting, prehabilitation, postoperative analgesic effectiveness, and risk prediction.

Research priorities are best determined in partnership between researchers, patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders. Our findings provide guidance for perioperative researchers in Australia, and elsewhere, when planning further research.