Rehabilitation Research During and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emergent Strategies From a Trainee-Faculty Workshop...American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) Annual Conference (Virtual), September 24-29, 2021

ABSTRACT

1) To identify challenges for conducting ongoing and future rehabilitation research during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2) to develop strategies that can support ongoing and future rehabilitation research. A two-hour facilitated online workshop with guided discussion. Online workshop synchronously recorded via Zoom. Trainees (14 doctoral;2 MSc students;1 post-doctoral fellow) and research faculty (5 physiotherapy;3 occupational therapy), School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Canada. Not applicable. Workshop transcript and field notes were cross-compared by 4 workshop facilitators from which 3 main categories emerged 1) pandemic protocol adjustment, 2) participant accessibility, and 3) knowledge dissemination. 1) Pandemic protocol adjustment Workshop participants identified concerns with transitioning pre- to post-pandemic research, such as variations in intervention protocols and psychometric properties of virtually guided outcome assessments. Strategies identified Delivering toolkits containing equipment needed for virtually guided assessments, and their comprehensive psychometric evaluation prior to use. 2) Participant accessibility Virtually guided rehabilitation research may present barriers to participation for some populations due to a lack of internet access and proficiency. Strategies identified Including community stakeholders in the decision-making process to help guide the development of safe and feasible study protocols, and simplifying protocols to maintain participants' adherence. 3) Knowledge dissemination Virtually delivered conferences have required additional preparation time due to requirements of pre-recorded presentations, and hinder important conversations between conference attendees. Strategies identified Researchers should account for delays in knowledge translation plans for funding applications, and conference organizers should consider hosting networking events for attendees. This workshop served as a catalyst for creative solutions to complex methodological challenges that can be integrated within existing and future rehabilitation-focused studies during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. None.