Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado
The COVID-19 pandemic has required many clinical and translational scientists and staff to work remotely to prevent the spread of the virus. To understand the impact on research programs, we assessed barriers to remote work and strategies implemented to support virtual engagement and productivity. A...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866120005701/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1827995254588964864 |
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| author | Heather M. Gilmartin Brigid Connelly Annika Hebbe Catherine Battaglia Bethany M. Kwan |
| author_facet | Heather M. Gilmartin Brigid Connelly Annika Hebbe Catherine Battaglia Bethany M. Kwan |
| author_sort | Heather M. Gilmartin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic has required many clinical and translational scientists and staff to work remotely to prevent the spread of the virus. To understand the impact on research programs, we assessed barriers to remote work and strategies implemented to support virtual engagement and productivity. A mixed-methods RedCap survey querying the remote work experience was emailed to Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) scientists and staff in April 2020. Descriptive analyses, Fisher’s Exact tests, and content analysis were conducted. Respondents (n = 322) were primarily female (n = 240; 75%), 21–73 years old (mean = 42 years) with a PhD (n = 139; 44%) or MD (n = 56; 55%). Prior to COVID-19, 77% (n = 246) never or rarely (0–1 day a week) worked remotely. Remote work somewhat or greatly interfered with 76% (n = 244) of researchers’ programs and 71% (n = 231) reported slowing or stopping their research. Common barriers included missing interactions with colleagues (n = 198; 62%) and the absence of routines (n = 137; 43%). Strategies included videoconferencing (n = 283; 88%), altering timelines and expectations (n = 180; 56%). Scientists and staff experienced interference with their research when they shifted to remote work, causing many to slow or stop research programs. Methods to enhance communication and relationships, support productivity, and collectively cope during remote work are available. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5b0f96596e3b4c8fbccdbaf94b12db77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:37Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-5b0f96596e3b4c8fbccdbaf94b12db772023-03-09T12:31:02ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612021-01-01510.1017/cts.2020.570Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in ColoradoHeather M. Gilmartin0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0264-4059Brigid Connelly1Annika Hebbe2Catherine Battaglia3Bethany M. Kwan4Denver/Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, VHA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Aurora, CO, USA Health Systems, Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA Colorado Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute, Aurora, CO, USADenver/Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, VHA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Aurora, CO, USADenver/Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, VHA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Aurora, CO, USADenver/Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, VHA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, Aurora, CO, USA Health Systems, Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USAColorado Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute, Aurora, CO, USA Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USAThe COVID-19 pandemic has required many clinical and translational scientists and staff to work remotely to prevent the spread of the virus. To understand the impact on research programs, we assessed barriers to remote work and strategies implemented to support virtual engagement and productivity. A mixed-methods RedCap survey querying the remote work experience was emailed to Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) scientists and staff in April 2020. Descriptive analyses, Fisher’s Exact tests, and content analysis were conducted. Respondents (n = 322) were primarily female (n = 240; 75%), 21–73 years old (mean = 42 years) with a PhD (n = 139; 44%) or MD (n = 56; 55%). Prior to COVID-19, 77% (n = 246) never or rarely (0–1 day a week) worked remotely. Remote work somewhat or greatly interfered with 76% (n = 244) of researchers’ programs and 71% (n = 231) reported slowing or stopping their research. Common barriers included missing interactions with colleagues (n = 198; 62%) and the absence of routines (n = 137; 43%). Strategies included videoconferencing (n = 283; 88%), altering timelines and expectations (n = 180; 56%). Scientists and staff experienced interference with their research when they shifted to remote work, causing many to slow or stop research programs. Methods to enhance communication and relationships, support productivity, and collectively cope during remote work are available.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866120005701/type/journal_articleRemote workCOVID-19clinical and translational science |
| spellingShingle | Heather M. Gilmartin Brigid Connelly Annika Hebbe Catherine Battaglia Bethany M. Kwan Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Remote work COVID-19 clinical and translational science |
| title | Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado |
| title_full | Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado |
| title_short | Assessing the impact of remote work during COVID-19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in Colorado |
| title_sort | assessing the impact of remote work during covid 19 on clinical and translational scientists and staff in colorado |
| topic | Remote work COVID-19 clinical and translational science |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866120005701/type/journal_article |
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