Matos-Jiménez Katherine, Alamo-Rodriguez Natalie, Fernández-Repollet Emma
Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program, Center for Collaborative Research in Health Disparities (RCMI-CCRHD), University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-MSC), San Juan, PR 00936, USA.
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Apr 16;22(4):623. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22040623.
Puerto Rico has faced significant damage from natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, disrupting clinical services and scientific research logistics. In response, the RCMI-CCRHD Program at the UPR-MSC organized a retreat with the objective of understanding the challenges faced by its research network during the pandemic and strategies to overcome them. The retreat featured presentations on COVID-19 supplemental projects and included a discussion group. Twenty attendees identified the challenges they encountered and the strategies developed through an open-ended question and a satisfaction survey, implementing a mixed-method approach. We performed a content analysis on the open-ended survey questions and used descriptive statistics for the satisfaction survey. Key challenges included remote work implementation, recruitment difficulties, and mental health concerns. Attendees shared actions taken to address these issues, such as modifying protocols for remote planning and using digital platforms for improving communication. They also recognized opportunities that arose from remote work, which allowed them to focus on publishing and adapting mental health support tools. The retreat received positive feedback, with 93.8% of attendees giving a five-star rating. By reflecting on these experiences, investigators can refine strategies and implement effective solutions. Recommendations include flexible IRB protocols, improved digital tools, community involvement, and robust emergency preparedness plans.
波多黎各遭受了自然灾害和新冠疫情的重大破坏，扰乱了临床服务和科研后勤。作为回应，波多黎各大学医学科学园区的RCMI-CCRHD项目组织了一次务虚会，目的是了解其研究网络在疫情期间面临的挑战以及克服这些挑战的策略。务虚会有关于新冠疫情补充项目的报告，并设有一个讨论小组。20名与会者通过开放式问题和满意度调查，采用混合方法，确定了他们遇到的挑战以及制定的策略。我们对开放式调查问卷问题进行了内容分析，并对满意度调查使用了描述性统计方法。主要挑战包括远程工作的实施、招募困难和心理健康问题。与会者分享了为解决这些问题采取的行动，比如修改远程规划方案以及使用数字平台改善沟通。他们还认识到远程工作带来的机遇，这使他们能够专注于发表论文和调整心理健康支持工具。务虚会收到了积极反馈，93.8%的与会者给出了五星级评价。通过反思这些经历，研究人员可以完善策略并实施有效的解决方案。建议包括灵活的机构审查委员会方案、改进数字工具、社区参与以及完善的应急准备计划。
