Cross-sectional non-incentivized worldwide web survey.

A worldwide survey of 1050 respondents showed that proctologic practice has been seriously affected by the pandemic. Age, gender and level of hospital preparedness predicted the change of status of surgical and outpatient activities.

The results of our study may inform the development of strategies to reopen activities while protecting frontline healthcare workers.

A 27-item survey (namely, 'ProctoLock 2020') was designed and developed by the authors using an online platform ('Online surveys' [formerly BOS - Bristol Online Survey], developed by the University of Bristol) in accordance with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) guidelines and the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys [CHERRIES]

Inclusion Criteria:

Members of renowned scientific societies with an interest in coloproctology

Experts in the field who joined a previous qualitative study[15] (N=492) were invited to complete a web survey (participants could be identified only via their valid email address; no other identifying information was collected). The survey link was sent to scientific societies of interest to coloproctologists (i.e. Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery, Russian Association of Coloproctologists, Mediterranean Society of Coloproctology) and disseminated to their members. All collaborators (ProctoLock 2020 Working Group) committed to further recruitment of participants by direct invitation. Participation was entirely voluntary with no compensation offered. Informed consent was obtained from all those agreeing to complete a survey. This study was exempt from review board approval at authors' institutions.