Challenges & Experiences from Multicentre Clinical Studies during COVID-19 pandemic

Paucity of information regarding newly emerging diseases pose public health challenges against their containment. Generating evidence appears pivotal in such scenario. COVID-19 pandemic is one such example where the conventional ways of conducting clinical research could not be practiced. Strained healthcare systems, stringent infection control measures, local/national lockdowns and diverting trained human resource for curative healthcare due to emergent reasons, hindered the conduct of clinical trials. The important requirement towards conducting successful studies was complete acceptance of the fact that the crisis was real, and research was necessary to find out solutions. Strong governance, encouragement from lead authorities, expedited requisite approvals, flexible work arrangements, adequate use of web interface, seamless fund flow and providing ownership to the rightful, have been in our experience the key elements of conducting meaningful research in such crisis.  Additionally, the pertinent value learnt was that anything including research is best done, by fostering trustworthy relationships with stakeholders on ground.