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. 2020 Sep-Oct;41(5):102617.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102617. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic impact on rhinology research: A survey of the American Rhinologic Society

Jessica W Grayson  1 , Justin P McCormick  2 , Harrison M Thompson  2 , Peter L Miller  2 , Do-Yeon Cho  2 , Bradford A Woodworth  2
Affiliations

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic impact on rhinology research: A survey of the American Rhinologic Society

Jessica W Grayson et al. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has radically shifted healthcare operations within hospitals and universities across the globe. However, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on research endeavors and clinical trials is unclear.

Objective: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on basic science and clinical research within the rhinology community.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed utilizing an 8-question survey to identify changes to rhinology research. Questions evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on administrative research support and staffing, basic science research, clinical trials and resident research involvement.

Results: Seventy-one participants responded to the survey (8.5% response rate). Most respondents noted changes in IACUC/IRB approval (faster, 33%; slower, 31%). Of those who employed laboratory personnel, 64% were able to continue staff employment with full salary. The majority of animal research and in vitro studies were halted (64% and 56%, respectively), but animal care and cell line maintenance were allowed to continue. Clinical trial enrollment was most commonly limited to COVID derived studies (51%). Forty-seven percent of respondents noted increased resident research participation.

Conclusion: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has markedly impacted rhinology-related research. Maintaining safe workplace practices as restrictions are lifted will hopefully mitigate the spread of the virus and allow research productivity to resume.

Keywords: Basic science; COVID-19; Clinical trial; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Research; Resident education; Rhinology; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on research support and staff: IACUC/IRB submission and approval timeline (A), Laboratory staff compensation (B), Laboratory staff work schedules (C).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on laboratory-based research: Animal research (A) and in vitro studies (B).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical trials: Ability to enroll patients in clinical trials (A) and communication with research coordinators (B).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Resident participation in research activities since the COVID-19 pandemic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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