Abstract
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.
Highlights
The current novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to substantial changes in society [1]
We developed a survey [12] informed by the remote work literature [13,14,15], experiences posted to Twitter (#remote work; #WFH) in the early days of remote work during COVID-19, and the authors’ personal experiences with remote work
We conducted a survey of Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) scientists and staff to systematically collect, analyze, and share remote work experiences, barriers, and strategic workarounds created by CCTSI members during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic response in Colorado
Summary
The current novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to substantial changes in society [1]. Even before local public health orders were made official [3], University campuses and healthcare systems closed academic offices and laboratories, and directed scientists and staff to continue their work remotely where possible. In March, it was not imagined that remote work would become a long-term solution to the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many scientists and researchers have been told to continue remote work for the foreseeable future. There is an urgent need for clinical and translational scientists and staff to learn and share remote work best practices, along with the creation of systematic interventions by University, hospital, and department leadership. It is vital that scientists and staff remain engaged, productive and healthy during the COVID-19 work from home period [4]
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