PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 Trial

Objectives: The primary aim of this project is to establish the effectiveness of an individualised stepped, multidisciplinary intervention, including education and peer support group, delivered via a virtual multimodal (p)rehabilitation hub, in reducing postoperative complications within 30-days following colorectal cancer surgery, compared to usual care alone. The secondary aims will be to obtain data on the likely difference in key outcomes including: (i) Quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29) (ii) Number of days at home within 30, 90 and 365 days after surgery (DAH-30, 90, 365) (iii) Quality of recovery (QoR-15) (iv) Cost-effectiveness (v) Implementation metrics (RE-AIM) Our hypothesis is that the PRIORITY-CONNECT 2 intervention will be more effective in reducing postoperative complications and more cost-effective than usual care. Study design: Pragmatic Randomised Type I Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial. Planned sample size: To achieve the primary aim, 564 participants will provide 90% power to detect a 15% difference in 30-day postoperative complication rates between the intervention and control groups. The sample size calculation accounts for up to 10% loss to follow-up, 5% non-compliance and a two-side alpha of 0.05. Selection criteria: A sample of 564 participants undergoing colorectal cancer surgery including open, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery (mostly, anterior resection, sigmoid colectomy, hemicolectomy, total proctocolectomy, subtotal colectomy, total colectomy) at sites throughout Australia will be included. These are common colorectal cancer surgeries performed at the participating centres. All the surgeons involved in this study have clinical appointments in their respective hospitals. Inclusion: Adults aged ≥18 years undergoing elective major surgery for colon or rectal cancer with curative intent; and consulting a colorectal surgeon at least 1 week prior to scheduled surgery. Exclusion: Patients undergoing Pelvi