Lay summary
As a leading clinical research scientist, my team's high-impact publications have driven changes in practice and international collaborations in surgical outcomes research. To continue this work, I am seeking a career development award to lead a collaborative, randomised controlled trial and establish a Surgical Research Outcomes Centre in Aotearoa. The study aims to definitively answer an ongoing controversy in colorectal surgery: does using pre-operative oral antibiotics (OA) as part of preparation for elective colorectal surgery reduce postoperative complications? We propose a multi-centred, RCT to resolve this question. This grant will help me continue to make significant contributions to surgical outcomes research, increase research capacity in my field, and establish valuable collaborations both nationally and internationally.