Calling all young patients! Have your say in groundbreaking research on anaesthesia and perioperative care – medical support given before, during and after surgery to ensure the best outcome.

The University of Western Australia and The Kids Research Institute Australia are inviting children and young adults aged six to 18 years to participate in the Seedlings Study, a national survey aiming to help guide the future of paediatric surgery. 

Organised by researchers from across Australia, it is seeking the input of young patients and their families to spotlight the top concerns and questions they have around surgery, anaesthesia and recovery.

Consultant anaesthetist at Perth Children’s Hospital, Chair of Paediatric Anaesthesia at UWA and Head of the Perioperative Medicine Team at The Kids, Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg, said the short, anonymous survey would be open online for three months.

“The survey is a unique chance for young people to have a say in the research that impacts their lives,”  Professor Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg said.

“It invites children and teens to review 20 research ideas and select the 10 they find most important, with topics ranging from managing pain after surgery and reducing anxiety, to improving the taste of medicines and making the experience of anaesthesia more comfortable. 

“By sharing their views, young people will help us identify the issues that really matter to them and their families, so we can work toward solutions that are relevant, meaningful and impactful.”

Clinical Research Program Manager at Perth Children’s Hospital and The Kids and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the UWA Medical School Dr Aine Sommerfield said the survey was open to all children aged six-to-18, whether they'd experienced surgery or not. 

“Taking part is voluntary, and the survey takes only a few minutes to complete,” Dr Sommerfield said.

“Questions include basic demographic details and then a list of 20 research ideas, which participants rank according to what they feel would make the greatest difference for kids in surgery. 

“All responses are confidential and will be securely stored.”

For more information or to take the survey, see here.