Lay summary
Gut disease is a major issue in NZ. The South Island of New Zealand has a number of specific issues when it comes to gut disease, with high rates of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders. The outcomes for gut cancers are also poor in New Zealand. To date, research concerning the presentation of people with gut symptoms has been defined by their disease. Patients present with symptoms rather than diseases. There have been few studies of gut symptoms and none in the New Zealand context with its specific health issues as noted above. The proposed research activation activity includes literature review and relationship development as a prelude to a larger study of how patients experience, interpret, report and have their gut symptoms managed regardless of aetiology.