Surveys

Members wishing to make a survey submission should complete an RCoA Survey Application Form and return it to surveys@rcoa.ac.uk.  Please read the form and this guidance carefully before submitting.

Survey Submission Guidelines

• approved surveys are shared as links on this webpage or electronically as part of established RCoA communication channels – only apply if your project is using an online survey tool
• the scheduling of all survey distribution and the inclusion of specific surveys is at the RCoA’s discretion
• please be aware that the RCoA also runs its own surveys of members and your project may clash with ongoing RCoA work
• there may also be a number of surveys awaiting distribution and your project timescales may not line up with RCoA capacity
• the RCoA will not bulk email its members with a message specific to your survey, nor will it coordinate physical mail-outs of survey materials
• survey links will only be circulated following review by members of Council for relevance to the overall RCoA strategy, and a subsequent methodological review by members of the CR&I Executive Management Board. Applicants with fixed data collection time-frames should plan several weeks’ lead-in time for any submission to accommodate this, plus any changes required by the reviewers to the survey contents
• return completed Survey Application Forms to surveys@rcoa.ac.uk. 

Please Note

Whilst the RCoA has agreed to circulate the links for these surveys for the interest of its members, unless otherwise noted, neither the RCoA nor the CR&I are members of the survey teams or official sponsors of any of these research projects.

Current Surveys

Measures to ensure good care before, during and after surgery

The team at THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute) is looking at which metrics would be best to measure care before, during, and after surgery. The survey is open to all healthcare professionals working along any part of the perioperative pathway. It will build the evidence through a two-part exercise where you can rank the metrics that matter most to you.

Take part in this survey to shape how important aspects of perioperative care will be measured. 

The first part is open now until 6 January 2025. The second part opens in February 2025. 

Single-shot spinals: To gown or not to gown? 

There is a wide variation of practice internationally with regards to wearing a sterile gown to perform spinal anaesthesia. What is the evidence and should we be gowning for single-shot spinals? You are invited to share your thoughts in the survey developed by a consultant anaesthetist in Singapore.  

The survey closes on 31 December 2024. 

Just culture in surgery

By completing this survey you will be contributing invaluable data to inform the level of 'Just Culture' in surgery, in cooperation with UK aviation organisations and BALPA, the voice of UK pilots. 

A 'Just Culture' considers wider systemic issues where things go wrong, enabling professionals and those operating the system to learn without fear of retribution - Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). 'Just Culture' is an essential bedrock of a safety culture and, on a personal level, can be viewed as how willing and able someone is to report a safety event and how 'safe' they feel in doing so. 

Aviation Safety is sustained and improved by an organisational culture that fosters the honest and free reporting of hazards and events from which genuine learning occurs across all levels of the organisation and it is an essential prerequisite that the principles of a 'Just Culture' are advanced for such a culture to flourish. 

Complete the survey before the end of January 2025. 

Psychological Preparedness Before Elective Surgery: UK Anaesthetists' Beliefs and Practice

The Patient and Public Involvement Team at the RCoA is seeking to understand anaesthetists' attitudes, practice and awareness of resources to support patient preparation before surgery, with a specific focus on psychological wellbeing. You are invited to participate in this short survey. Your valuable insights will help shape future patient resources and improve support for both clinicians and patients during the preoperative period. 

The survey closes 3 February 2025. 

Paediatric stabilisation survey for stage 3 anaesthetists

This is a survey looking at the experience and training of stage 3 anaesthetists in managing non anaesthetic paediatric emergencies. We aim to look at the variation of training throughout the UK, comfort levels and what courses are available. It is being led by Dr Simon Chitnis, ST5 Anaesthesia, West of Scotland and Dr Lyndsey Forbes, College Tutor, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow. 

The survey closes 31 March 2025.  

Working with patients with mental health issues in intensive care 

A group of NHS clinicians and academics from the University of Bath are hoping to improve training about and care for those with mental health issues in acute hospital intensive care settings. This survey is for doctors and nurses who have worked in an ICU at least one month of the last 12, and explores their attitudes, knowledge and skills related to working with patients with mental health in ICU. 

The survey closes in March 2025.  

Autism and autistic traits in doctors

Researchers from Brighton and Sussex Medical School and Autistic Doctors International are exploring the prevalence of autism and autistic traits in doctors within the United Kingdom (UK). Take part in this survey if you have ever worked as a doctor in the UK (registered with the General Medical Council).    

Sustainable TIVA Practices

This short survey led by a team at Torbay hospital, Devon is aimed at all anaesthetists. Questions briefly explore syringe reuse and propofol conservation behaviours with the aim of providing a national picture of practice that will highlight opportunities to reduce single use plastic consumption and propofol waste.   

Do you have a survey you wish to submit to the College?
Please ensure that you complete a Survey Application Form in full before making your submission. If you have any queries, please contact us for advice.