"We're all just trying to do right by our patients": a qualitative study of healthcare and research personnel's moral experiences of engaging with COVID-19 research during the first wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Although research plays a critical role during emerging pandemics such as COVID-19, clinical care and public health priorities may be in tension with research priorities at times. This study aimed to better understand the on-the-ground realities and experiences of those who worked at the intersections of research and clinical care early in the COVID-19 pandemic to clarify the ethical dimensions of pandemic research and the support needs of those involved. The research question guiding this inquiry was: What were healthcare and research personnel's moral experiences of engaging with COVID-19 research during the first wave of the pandemic?

METHODS

This Interpretive Description study included 26 semi-structured telephone or virtual interviews with healthcare and research personnel conducted between May and September 2020 to explore their moral experiences related to involvement in COVID-19 research. Data were analyzed inductively using constant comparative techniques.

RESULTS

The overarching theme characterizing participants' moral experiences was trying to do right by their patients in the midst of the storm. Five sub-themes included: (1) striving for evidence-based practice in the absence of evidence, (2) struggling to balance speed, ethical standards, and rigour, (3) advocating for patients in the rush to develop COVID-19 evidence, (4) bearing the burdens and risks of conducting COVID-19 research, and (5) feeling part of something bigger.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings raise questions regarding what it means to be a good physician, nurse, or healthcare professional in the absence of evidence and amidst pressures to generate it quickly.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.