Dual Priorities: Maintaining Scientific Rigor and Staff Wellbeing in the Midst of a Pandemic.

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our team adjusted study procedures to support research staff wellbeing. ATN CARES is a community-based, adolescent-focused HIV research program. Our participants and frontline staff alike are predominantly Black or Latinx sexual and gender minorities. Senior researchers and staff collaborated to refine our procedures, anticipating stay-at-home orders in March 2020. Transition to virtual space appeared seamless; however, we did not foresee that staff would have the additional role of providing COVID-19-related informational and emotional support to participants. This and the added strain of working remotely were increasing staff stress and in general negatively affecting staff wellbeing. Leveraging staff interests and skills, staff and senior researchers developed purposeful ways to stay connected and alleviate these strains, including exercise sessions; professional development workshops; motivational messages; and games. These proved beneficial and serve as a reminder that wellbeing of staff-our frontline heroes-is vital to a successful research project.