@article{471d4b809f79408aa6d7751cb3c5437e,
title = "Action at a Distance: Geriatric Research during a Pandemic",
abstract = "BACKGROUND: “Action at a distance” may be the new norm for clinical researchers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that may require social distancing for the next 18 months. We must minimize face-to-face contact with vulnerable populations. But we must also persist, adapt, and help our older patients and study participants during the pandemic. METHODS: Clinical researchers have an obligation to help, and we can. Recommendations for clinical researchers working with older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. RESULTS: Implement technology now: Minimize face-to-face contact with participants by utilizing digital tools, such as shifting to electronic informed consent and digital HIPAA-compliant tools such as e-mailed surveys or telehealth assessments. Assess the psychological and social impact of COVID-19: How are participants coping? What health or social behaviors have changed? How are they keeping up with current events? What are they doing to stay connected to their families, friends, and communities? Are their healthcare needs being met? Current studies should be adapted immediately to these ends. Mobilize research platforms for patient needs: Leverage our relationships with participants and rapidly deploy novel clinical engagement techniques such as digital tools to intervene remotely and reduce the negative effects of social isolation on our participants. Equip research staff with tangible resources, and provide timely population-specific health information to support patients and healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: We have an opportunity to make an impact on our older adult patients now as this pandemic continues to unfold. Above all, clinical researchers need to continue working, to help as many people as possible through the crisis. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:922–925, 2020.",
keywords = "clinical research, mobile health, social isolation",
author = "Nicol, {Ginger E.} and Piccirillo, {Jay F.} and Mulsant, {Benoit H.} and Lenze, {Eric J.}",
note = "Funding Information: Ginger E. Nicol has received research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, Otsuka America, Inc., Alkermes, the Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, the Center for Diabetes Translational Research, the Institute for Public Health and the McDonnell Center for Neuroscience at Washington University, and the Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation. She also serves as a consultant for Sunovion, Alkermes, and Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jay F. Piccirillo has received research funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, and Bind On-Demand Health Care. Benoit H. Mulsant has received research funding from Brain Canada, the CAMH Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH); research support from Bristol-Myers Squibb (medications for an NIH-funded clinical trial), Eli-Lilly (medications for an NIH-funded clinical trial), Pfizer (medications for an NIH-funded clinical trial), Capital Solution Design LLC (software used in a study funded by CAMH Foundation), and HAPPYneuron (software used in a study funded by Brain Canada). He directly owns stocks of General Electric (less than $5,000). Eric J. Lenze has received research support from NIH, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, McKnight Brain Research Foundation, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, and the Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders (Department of Psychiatry, Washington University), Barnes Jewish Foundation, MagStim, Aptinyx, Takeda, and Lundbeck; he has served as a consultant for Janssen and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Developed the concept and wrote the manuscript: Nicol. Assisted in crafting the public health relevance of the content: Piccirillo. Provided refinement of concepts, contributing content relevant to expertise in geriatric clinical research: Mulsant and Lenze. Reviewed the final manuscript: All authors. The content of this manuscript was developed without funding or sponsorship. Funding Information: Ginger E. Nicol has received research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, Otsuka America, Inc., Alkermes, the Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders, the Center for Diabetes Translational Research, the Institute for Public Health and the McDonnell Center for Neuroscience at Washington University, and the Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation. She also serves as a consultant for Sunovion, Alkermes, and Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jay F. Piccirillo has received research funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, and Bind On‐Demand Health Care. Benoit H. Mulsant has received research funding from Brain Canada, the CAMH Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH); research support from Bristol‐Myers Squibb (medications for an NIH‐funded clinical trial), Eli‐Lilly (medications for an NIH‐funded clinical trial), Pfizer (medications for an NIH‐funded clinical trial), Capital Solution Design LLC (software used in a study funded by CAMH Foundation), and HAPPYneuron (software used in a study funded by Brain Canada). He directly owns stocks of General Electric (less than $5,000). Eric J. Lenze has received research support from NIH, the Patient‐Centered Outcomes Research Institute, McKnight Brain Research Foundation, Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, and the Center for Brain Research in Mood Disorders (Department of Psychiatry, Washington University), Barnes Jewish Foundation, MagStim, Aptinyx, Takeda, and Lundbeck; he has served as a consultant for Janssen and Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 The American Geriatrics Society",
year = "2020",
month = may,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1111/jgs.16443",
language = "English",
volume = "68",
pages = "922--925",
journal = "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society",
issn = "0002-8614",
number = "5",
}