Practice-informed Guidance for Undertaking Remote-delivery Mental Health Research
What we did and why we did it
In order to continue to provide services during a time of physical distancing the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a need to rapidly implement and increase the use of remote healthcare delivery within mental health practice. It is expected that this accelerated implementation of digital care platforms will be maintained and expanded in routine post-pandemic health services. We recognised there was a lack of clear and practical guidance for mental health research staff when undertaking remote research visits.
Key areas to consider Research practice needs to be adapted for online appointments to allow for continuation of ethical practice and informed choice, while maintaining safety of participants throughout the study.
What we developed
We developed guidance outlining the key issues to consider when assessing appropriateness of a remote-delivery research appointments on a caseby-case basis and methods to support the development of a supportive research relationship. We produced a practical checklist to be used and adapted by research nurses undertaking remotedelivery appointments The guidance and checklist are based on the evidence to date and the teams’ own experiences and reflections of conducting remote-delivered research appointments across multiple research studies.
What’s Next?
The guidance and checklist are used routinely in our research department. We plan to undertake an evaluation of their use and acceptability. Poster presentation at the RCN International Nursing Research conference, 7th September 202