“We're all just trying to do right by our patients”: a qualitative study of healthcare and research personnel’s moral experiences of engaging with COVID-19 research during the first wave of the pandemic

BACKGROUND: Although research plays a critical role during emerging pandemics such as COVID-19, clinical care and public health priorities may be in tension with research priorities at times. This study aimed to better understand the on-the-ground realities and experiences of those who worked at the intersections of research and clinical care early in the COVID-19 pandemic to clarify the ethical dimensions of pandemic research and the support needs of those involved. The research question guiding this inquiry was: What were healthcare and research personnel's moral experiences of engaging with COVID-19 research during the first wave of the pandemic? METHODS: This Interpretive Description study included 26 semi-structured telephone or virtual interviews with healthcare and research personnel conducted between May and September 2020 to explore their moral experiences related to involvement in COVID-19 research. Data were analyzed inductively using constant comparative techniques. RESULTS: The overarching theme characterizing participants' moral experiences was trying to do right by their patients in the midst of the storm. Five sub-themes included: (1) striving for evidence-based practice in the absence of evidence, (2) struggling to balance speed, ethical standards, and rigour, (3) advocating for patients in the rush to develop COVID-19 evidence, (4) bearing the burdens and risks of conducting COVID-19 research, and (5) feeling part of something bigger. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings raise questions regarding what it means to be a good physician, nurse, or healthcare professional in the absence of evidence and amidst pressures to generate it quickly. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.