Tag: covid-19

Germ Defence study shows how an intervention can be rolled out rapidly during a pandemic

Posted on by capcbristol

A newly published randomised controlled trial (RCT) used an innovative trial design to rapidly roll out a behavioural intervention aimed at reducing infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the trial’s results, published in Implementation Science, found the Germ Defence website did not appear to reduce infections during the pandemic, they do show how trusted research environments (TREs) can be used to evaluate new treatments safely and quickly.

Germ Defence website.

This was the first RCT where follow up was conducted entirely within a TRE. The study’s novel design meant GP practices and patients did not have to return any data, as all analysis was conducted via the OpenSAFELY TRE. OpenSAFELY TRE gives researchers access to 40% of the English population’s anonymous health records.

Germ Defence is a behaviour change website that gives practical advice on how to reduce the spread of infection in the home. It was found to be effective in reducing the spread of seasonal and swine flu in a previous RCT.

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Experiences of support for domestic abuse in UK general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

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The experiences of patients who sought help in general practice for domestic violence and abuse (DVA) during the COVID-19 pandemic have been revealed in a study by researchers at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol.

Mother holds small baby in one arm as she types on a laptop with her other hand.

The study, published in the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP), compared the views of 21 patients (women, men and children) with the views of 13 healthcare professionals (GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals).

Overall, the study found that general practice played an important role in supporting patients affected by domestic abuse during the pandemic, although this was against a backdrop of concerns of rising numbers of DVA cases and falling referral of cases. Access to services was further hampered by the imposition of lockdown measures and a shift to remote care.

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COVID-19 bereavement research shortlisted for prestigious impact award

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A joint University of Bristol and Cardiff University study investigating experiences of end-of-life care and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic has been shortlisted by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for the prestigious ‘Celebrating Impact Prize 2023’.

The prize recognises the success of ESRC-funded researchers in achieving and enabling outstanding economic or societal impact from their research.

The COVID-19 bereavement study, led by Dr Lucy Selman from the Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group and Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol, and Dr Emily Harrop, from the Marie Curie Research Centre, School of Medicine at Cardiff University, looked at the support bereaved people needed, whether they were able to access it, and how it could best be provided.

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Covid-19 grief disorder rates ‘higher than expected’

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New research finds higher than expected rates of Prolonged Grief Disorder among the pandemic bereaved.

Woman writes on wall of hearts created as a memorial to those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Image credit: Photo by Matt Brown from Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmatt/51123378611

Cases of Prolonged Grief Disorder among people bereaved during the Covid-19 pandemic are likely to be significantly higher than pre-pandemic, indicates new research from Cardiff University and the University of Bristol.

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