Conducting Clinical Research With Pediatric Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

What is it about?

This commentary provides recommendations methods through which pediatric clinical researchers might overcome the many barriers to continuing and initiating research during the pandemic. The recommendations fall into five broad categories of the research process: recruitment and consent (e.g., utilizing electronic consent/assent; partnering with stakeholders), data collection (e.g., including measures to account for the impact of COVID on key study variables; collecting data remotely), intervention delivery (e.g., including digital delivery, as possible; sanitizing materials), reporting outcomes (e.g., addressing the impact of COVID in the limitations section), and research training (e.g., modifying student-led projects to reduce the impact on their training timeline; providing training on use of PPE). The authors also stress the importance of continuing pediatric clinical research during the pandemic, given our potential to support medical and psychosocial functioning of youth and their families in this unique period.

Featured Image

Photo by Vera Davidova on Unsplash

Photo by Vera Davidova on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The pandemic has evoked unprecedented obstacles to initiating and completing pediatric clinical research, including an inability for in-person recruitment and in-lab participation with immunocompromised youth. Despite these challenges, through integrating the recommended procedures, pediatric psychologists might avoid and/or overcome stalled research productivity. In turn, we can provide continued support for the health and well-being of the youth and families we serve.