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Barriers and solutions to developing and maintaining research networks during a pandemic: An example from the iELEVATE perinatal network

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2022

Donna A. Santillan*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Debra S. Brandt
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Rachel Sinkey
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
Sheila Scheib
Affiliation:
OB-Gyn Associates, PC., Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Susan Peterson
Affiliation:
West Des Moines OB/GYN Associates, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Rachel LeDuke
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UAB Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
Lisa Dimperio
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UAB Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
Cindy Cherek
Affiliation:
Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, WI, USA
Angela Varsho
Affiliation:
Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
Melissa Granza
Affiliation:
Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
Kim Logan
Affiliation:
OB-Gyn Associates, PC., Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Stephen K. Hunter
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Boyd M. Knosp
Affiliation:
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Heather A. Davis
Affiliation:
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Joseph C. Spring
Affiliation:
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Debra Piehl
Affiliation:
OB-Gyn Associates, PC., Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Rani Makkapati
Affiliation:
West Des Moines OB/GYN Associates, West Des Moines, IA, USA
Thomas Doering
Affiliation:
Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, WI, USA
Stacy Harris
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UAB Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
Lyndsey Day
Affiliation:
The Group, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists, Davenport, IA, USA
Milton Eder
Affiliation:
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Patricia Winokur
Affiliation:
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Mark K. Santillan
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
*
Address for correspondence: D. A. Santillan, PhD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, MRF 464, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Email: donna-santillan@uiowa.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

To improve maternal health outcomes, increased diversity is needed among pregnant people in research studies and community surveillance. To expand the pool, we sought to develop a network encompassing academic and community obstetrics clinics. Typical challenges in developing a network include site identification, contracting, onboarding sites, staff engagement, participant recruitment, funding, and institutional review board approvals. While not insurmountable, these challenges became magnified as we built a research network during a global pandemic. Our objective is to describe the framework utilized to resolve pandemic-related issues.

Methods:

We developed a framework for site-specific adaptation of the generalized study protocol. Twice monthly video meetings were held between the lead academic sites to identify local challenges and to generate ideas for solutions. We identified site and participant recruitment challenges and then implemented solutions tailored to the local workflow. These solutions included the use of an electronic consent and videoconferences with local clinic leadership and staff. The processes for network development and maintenance changed to address issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, aspects of the sample processing/storage and data collection elements were held constant between sites.

Results:

Adapting our consenting approach enabled maintaining study enrollment during the pandemic. The pandemic amplified issues related to contracting, onboarding, and IRB approval. Maintaining continuity in sample management and clinical data collection allowed for pooling of information between sites.

Conclusions:

Adaptability is key to maintaining network sites. Rapidly changing guidelines for beginning and continuing research during the pandemic required frequent intra- and inter-institutional communication to navigate.

Information

Type
Research Article
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Association for Clinical and Translational Science
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Academic and community practices comprise the iELEVATE perinatal research network. The University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (purple) originated the network and recruited area community practice sites (blue) to join the network to provide greater diversity and inclusion of pregnant patients.

Figure 1

Fig. 2. Timeline of institution responses to pandemic. Academic and community practice sites had varying responses to the pandemic in regard to allowing research to proceed.

Figure 2

Fig. 3. Divergence in COVID response. The differences in COVID protocols between institutions resulted in changes to recruitment strategies in order for continued progress to be made.

Figure 3

Table 1. Challenges and solutions for developing a network during a pandemic