Good participatory practice for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research: the case of a COVID-19 prevention study
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
2398502X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85152926789
Journal Title
Wellcome Open Research
Volume
6
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Wellcome Open Research Vol.6 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Perrone C., Schilling W., Callery J.J., Ashley E.A., Chambers M., Chase H., Dahal P., Kanthawang N., Nedsuwan S., Hanboonkunupakarn B., Intralawan D., Karkey A., Mayxay M., Souvong V., Tran Minh H., Udas Shakya S., Sharma S.K., Uranw S., Vannachione S., Woodrow C., White N.J., Cheah P.Y. Good participatory practice for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research: the case of a COVID-19 prevention study. Wellcome Open Research Vol.6 (2022). doi:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16880.3 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/83865
Title
Good participatory practice for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research: the case of a COVID-19 prevention study
Author's Affiliation
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
University of Oxford
Mahosot Hospital, Lao
Nuffield Department of Medicine
John Radcliffe Hospital
University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
Ministry of Health of Lao PDR
Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
University of Oxford
Mahosot Hospital, Lao
Nuffield Department of Medicine
John Radcliffe Hospital
University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
Ministry of Health of Lao PDR
Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: The COPCOV study (chloroquine/ hydroxychloroquine prevention of coronavirus disease), which started recruitment in April 2020, is a multi-country double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial which is being conducted in healthcare facilities involved in COVID-19 case management. Participants are staff employed in facilities managing people with proven or suspected COVID-19. As part of the study, we conducted a series of engagement sessions. The aims were to assess the feasibility of the study, to identify context-specific ethical issues, to understand possible concerns, to fine tune research procedures and to refine the COPCOV information materials. Methods: The COPCOV study was approved by relevant institutional review boards. The sessions described in this paper were part of the study. We conducted a series of engagement sessions, each involving a short presentation of the study, a section where attendees were asked to express their willingness to participate in such a study, which information they would need to change their view and an open Q&A section. Answers were transcribed and coded into themes by two independent investigators. Themes were derived from the data. They complemented other site-specific engagement, communication, and public relation activities such as press releases and websites. Results and conclusions: From 16 th March 2020 to 20 th January 2021, 12 engagement sessions were conducted in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal and the UK involving 213 attendees in total. Issues raised revolved around the social value and study rationale; safety of trial medications and risk-benefit balance; study design and commitments. These sessions helped us identify concerns people had, which helped us refine information materials as well as complement site feasibility assessments. Our experience strongly supports the use of participatory practices prior to conducting clinical trials.