AIM: to describe the changes in colorectal cancer services in the UK and USA in response to a COVID-19 pandemic and to understand the long-term impact.
Phase 1 – National Colorectal Cancer Service Modification Survey
Primary Objective:
- Evaluate adherences and deviations from best practice guidelines on colorectal cancer during COVID-19 pandemic
Secondary Objectives:
- Describe modifications to screening process for CRC
- Describe modifications to pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative CRC service delivery
- Demonstrate global effect of COVID-19 pandemic on CRC service provision irrespective of the type of healthcare system
- Outline consensus recommendations for sustainable modifications to CRC services
Phase 2 – Evaluation of the Colorectal Cancer Service Provision
Primary objective:
- Determine the impact of CRC service provision following modifications on long-term cancer specific outcomes compared to national standards
Secondary Objectives:
- Predict the impact of modifications on the incidence and prevalence of different CRC stages in 12 months
- Plan adjustments to CRC service provision after the end of pandemic
Phase 3 – Cost Analysis and Projections of Additional Resources
Primary Objective:
- Predict the costs attributable to modifications of CRC services during COVID-19 pandemic
- Predict additional resources required to treat patients whose treatment has been affected by COVID-19
Phase 4 – Comparison of the NHS and the USA Model of Healthcare
Primary Objective:
- Compare the impact of COVID-19 on the NHS and USA model of healthcare in terms of service provision and cost
- Propose a standardised model of delivering colorectal cancer services for future outbreaks