Extraordinary Emergent Pause for Covid-19

If like me, you are in the data collection phase of your PhD then you are likely sobbing quietly in a corner trying to figure out how to move forward in the face of the pandemic. While Universities, hospitals, and national bodies develop guidelines, we need to made decisions as to what to do for our research projects and our PhD’s.

I thought I would share my experiences, to date, to let you know that you are not alone. A quick recap, my PhD is in Health Sciences and as such I am working with people with Heart Failure in my research (see my study blog). Additionally, I am a nurse, a Clinical Academic. With that context some of the below things will probably make a bit more sense.

First to say is that this pandemic is unprecedented, and its effects are uncertain no matter who you are and what sector you work in. I am not saying our experience is more important than those who may lose loved ones, jobs, or businesses. But it is our experience.

I could feel this coming. As nurses we talk about the ‘gut’ feeling we get, but for me it was more than that, as a researcher I was also collecting evidence and forming a picture of what would likely happen, developing plans for me and my research. In the early stages (last week) one of the trusts who was helping me with my research started to send emails to all the research nurses, as to what research activity we should or should not do. As one of those research nurses, I saw that certain other large research sponsor’s (universities, institutes, drug companies) were also sending emails about suspending research visits. These followed the MRHA guidelines around clinical medication studies advising a reduction research activity to only essential activities.

For me the complication was that the guidance (at this point) left wiggle room. Which for my project meant different sites that are doing my research were taking different stances on what they were continuing to do. Leading to conflicting opinions on how to proceed. To guide my decisions, I reached out to my supervisors for their support and followed their advice regarding my project. This meant planning to do slightly different things at different sites. Some stopped home visits for interviews while most continued to recruit hospital inpatient.

Only 3 days later, in the UK Covid-19 strategy escalated so I took the tough decision, after quick consultation with my supervisors, to amend this activity even further. Which meant cancelling all planned face to face interviews with participants. This was hard and sad as this part of my study was proving to be powerful and interesting. But I know it was the right thing to do, for those participants as well as for me. At this point the plan as agreed by everyone was that my questionnaire study would remain open and recruiting but only to patients already attending the hospital, while the resources in those hospitals were available.

Monday the 16th I had a Skype meeting with my supervisors (although not a first) a measure of protection due to the pandemic. Together we have decided a two-stage plan for me as a clinical academic. Step one effective by the end this week I am pausing all my research activities in relation to my PhD. Step two, if and when I am called to step up as a nurse and increase my clinical hours, I will formally suspend my PhD with the University. This means a bit more work now, but it means when these steps need to be taken, I’ll be prepared.

In terms of work this means amendments to be submitted to University Ethics board (ERGO II), and the Health Research Authority (IRAS). A special considerations application to suspend my PhD to my University, letters to my funders, recruiting sites, and a notification on my study blog for any participants. Not to mention tidying everything up in my PhD, securing existing data, sorting though current work and making sure it is organised so it will be easy to pick up after a period of suspension.

This is heart wrenching, and even for me and my glass half-full outlook I have struggled with this. I know in the long run it is the right thing and I know I won’t regret it. But in this moment, it feels sad and I am grieving. A normal PhD is a highly demanding and stressful accomplishment without the additional work required created by this pandemic. Not to mention the unspoken fears of uncertainty around our fledgling research careers, clinical academic career pathways, and a loss of momentum in my PhD. I’ve allowed myself tears and time to grieve the loss of the picture (in my head) of what my PhD was going to be like. Tears over, once I get the Covid-19 extra work I’ll be pushing hard to finish off other aspects of my PhD that don’t involve collecting data from Heart Failure patients, before I am called to work in the wards to support the NHS through this pandemic.

My advice for other clinical academics; reach out to your supervisors for support and guidance. No one knows the answers to all these questions, but they have more years of experience in research and can guide you through these processes. Reach out to your PhD colleagues and support each other as no one else will understand this challenge as well as they will. Lean on those in your life who will help you see the positives in all this and help you find your silver lining in this dark cloud. I am choosing to see this as a pause, a moment to catch my breath to take stock before moving on to the next challenge. To catch up and focus on aspects of my PhD that I’ve been ignoring due to data collection. To do the next right thing.