The impact of COVID-19 on clinical research at Australian and New Zealand universities: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the implementation of social distancing measures, travel restrictions, and infection control measures that introduced a myriad of disruptions in the conduct of clinical research worldwide. As a result, many aspects of clinical research were variably impacted. AIM: To explore the impact of the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical research across accredited nursing, pharmacy, and medicine program providers in Australian and New Zealand universities. METHODS: Representatives from all program providers across Australian and New Zealand universities, with publicly available contact information, were invited to participate in this qualitative study, whereby semi-structured interviews were completed with participants who held senior research or leadership positions within their institution. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively analysed using thematic content analysis. FINDINGS: Interviews were conducted with 16 participants between August and October 2021. Two major themes were identified (Immediate Research Impact and Broader Research Impact) with six subthemes: Prioritisation, Continuation, and Dissemination of Research; Modifications to Research; Funding and Changes to Research Focus; Collaboration; Research Workforce; Context-specific Impacts. DISCUSSION: The impact on clinical research in Australian and New Zealand universities included changes to data collection methods, a perceived decreased quality of research, changes to collaboration, neglect of basic disease research, and loss of the research workforce. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical research within the Australian and New Zealand university context. Implications of these impacts should be considered to ensure long-term sustainability of research and preparedness for future disruptions.