Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years
Abstract Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had an abrupt impact on patient-oriented research early in the pandemic. CTSA Clinical Research Centers (CRCs) rapidly adapted to this challenge, but the continued impact of later phases of the pandemic on CRC operations is not clear. Methods: An onli...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866123005435/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797819798166437888 |
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| author | Mary H. Samuels Ella Hommeyer Brian Booty Kelli Frost Cynthia Morris |
| author_facet | Mary H. Samuels Ella Hommeyer Brian Booty Kelli Frost Cynthia Morris |
| author_sort | Mary H. Samuels |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic had an abrupt impact on patient-oriented research early in the pandemic. CTSA Clinical Research Centers (CRCs) rapidly adapted to this challenge, but the continued impact of later phases of the pandemic on CRC operations is not clear.
Methods:
An online REDCap survey of CTSA CRCs was developed that covered the first 2 years of the pandemic. The survey focused on impact on CRC functions, mitigation strategies, recovery of CRC activities, CRC contributions to COVID-related research, and potential lessons for future public health emergencies. The survey was sent to CRC directors at 61 CTSA Hubs in May 2022.
Results:
Twenty-seven Hubs (44%) responded to the survey. Most CRCs reported greater than 50% declines in inpatient census in the first year of the pandemic, with less severe impacts on outpatient census. CRCs pivoted to support COVID-related research and adopted innovative technology-driven approaches to support clinical research. Census improved in the second year of the pandemic in most CRCs but often remained below pre-pandemic levels, and greater than half of CRCs reported decreased revenue.
Conclusions:
CTSA-supported CRCs faced unprecedented challenges at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and responded rapidly to support COVID-related research and implement innovative approaches that allowed patient-oriented research activities to resume. However, many CRCs continued to report decreased research activities in the second year of the pandemic, and the long-term effects on CRC operations on finances are not clear. CRCs will likely need to evolve to provide support in nontraditional ways.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:27:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d17be3b4d7b463686b99f85332d5f6f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:27:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d17be3b4d7b463686b99f85332d5f6f2023-05-26T04:55:07ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612023-01-01710.1017/cts.2023.543Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 yearsMary H. Samuels0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4649-4897Ella Hommeyer1Brian Booty2Kelli Frost3Cynthia Morris4Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USAOregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USAOregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USAOregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USAOregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA Abstract Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had an abrupt impact on patient-oriented research early in the pandemic. CTSA Clinical Research Centers (CRCs) rapidly adapted to this challenge, but the continued impact of later phases of the pandemic on CRC operations is not clear. Methods: An online REDCap survey of CTSA CRCs was developed that covered the first 2 years of the pandemic. The survey focused on impact on CRC functions, mitigation strategies, recovery of CRC activities, CRC contributions to COVID-related research, and potential lessons for future public health emergencies. The survey was sent to CRC directors at 61 CTSA Hubs in May 2022. Results: Twenty-seven Hubs (44%) responded to the survey. Most CRCs reported greater than 50% declines in inpatient census in the first year of the pandemic, with less severe impacts on outpatient census. CRCs pivoted to support COVID-related research and adopted innovative technology-driven approaches to support clinical research. Census improved in the second year of the pandemic in most CRCs but often remained below pre-pandemic levels, and greater than half of CRCs reported decreased revenue. Conclusions: CTSA-supported CRCs faced unprecedented challenges at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and responded rapidly to support COVID-related research and implement innovative approaches that allowed patient-oriented research activities to resume. However, many CRCs continued to report decreased research activities in the second year of the pandemic, and the long-term effects on CRC operations on finances are not clear. CRCs will likely need to evolve to provide support in nontraditional ways. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866123005435/type/journal_articleClinical Research CentersCOVID-19 pandemicCTSA hubssurveypatient-oriented research |
| spellingShingle | Mary H. Samuels Ella Hommeyer Brian Booty Kelli Frost Cynthia Morris Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Clinical Research Centers COVID-19 pandemic CTSA hubs survey patient-oriented research |
| title | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years |
| title_full | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years |
| title_short | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CTSA Clinical Research Centers over 2 years |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on ctsa clinical research centers over 2 years |
| topic | Clinical Research Centers COVID-19 pandemic CTSA hubs survey patient-oriented research |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866123005435/type/journal_article |
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