ABSTRACT
Background: The ways in which research collaborations are formed and strengthened have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions limiting in-person meetings. Given the need to rapidly adapt to online communication, and to accelerate COVID-19 venous thromboembolism (VTE) research, social media has played an important role in all aspects of these interactions. Aim(s): (1) Assess the size and geographic breadth of VTE researchers' project collaborations before and during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic;(2) Characterize how social media platforms are used by VTE researchers. Method(s): An online survey about research collaborations and social media use was distributed in June 2020 to VTE researchers via Twitter, CanVECTOR (n = 59) and INVENT (n = 389) research network websites and email lists. Research collaboration data were analyzed using ego-centred social network analytic techniques to assess the size and composition of researchers' VTE-and COVID-related collaboration networks. Result(s): Over half of respondents (23/45, 51%) reported leading at least one collaborative VTE research project in the past 2 years, with 16 (36%) currently leading COVID-related VTE research. Eighteen (78%) respondents who led VTE research projects also contributed as a collaborator to VTE research projects over the past 2 years, with 17 (74%) contributing to COVID-related VTE research. Research in the VTE field is inter-institutional and international, but early COVID-related collaborations tended to be more local (Table 1). Social media platforms were used primarily by VTE researchers to collect and disseminate COVID-19 VTE research information. Conclusion(s): Research in the VTE field is inter-institutional and international, but early COVID-related VTE research collaborations tended to be more local. Social media platforms may be useful in strengthening international collaborations between VTE researchers with similar interests. (Table Presented).
ABSTRACT
Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent disease with high morbidity and mortality. VTE has well-documented physical sequelae, however the psychological and emotional experience of patients is seldom evaluated in randomized controlled trials. Aim(s): We conducted a scoping review of published qualitative studies aiming to understand the physical, psychological, and emotional impact of VTE as reflected from patients' perspectives. This scoping review is part of a larger initiative to develop a core outcome set for VTE treatment studies. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and CanVECTOR. Method(s): A systematic literature search was conducted to identify qualitative studies assessing patient experience of VTE. Two authors independently screened titles and s using Covidence systematic review software. Full text reviews were conducted independently by two study team members. QSR International NVivo 12 software was used to perform systematic line-by- line coding of the Results and Discussion from all included articles. A modified method of thematic synthesis was used to collate themes upon reading and re-reading of the publications. Result(s): Our search strategy returned a total of 4944 citations;28 were ultimately included in the analysis. The studies were conducted across 13 countries and representative of 436 participants including a spectrum of VTE sub-populations. There were seven major themes identified;Acute Impacts: An Unforeseen Blow, Sustained Psychological Distress, Loss of Self: Life is Changed, Challenges of Thrombosis Management, Balancing Coping and Control, Negative Experience with the Medical System, and VTE in the Context of Other Conditions. Each major theme was comprised of additional subthemes (Figure 1). Conclusion(s): The physical, psychological, and emotional impacts of VTE extend beyond the quantitative outcomes typically evaluated in clinical trials. An improved understanding of the outcomes most important to patients will improve patient-centered research and care in VTE.