Covid-19 Research and Studies

Many companies and organisations have started research work and studies to understand the impact of Covid-19.  

Here are a selection

Researchers at the University of Derby and the University of Nottingham are conducting a study titled "Assessing and reducing the impact of Covid-19 on the wellbeing of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving in-centre haemodialysis during the outbreak". The project aims to explore the impact of Covid-19 on CKD patients as well as identify the types of extra support, advice, information and services that dialysis patients need during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Please see below for more information about the study and how to take part:

Study name Assessing and reducing the impact of Covid-19 on the wellbeing of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving in-centre haemodialysis during the outbreak.
Aim of the study? The aim of the study is to improve support for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who need in-centre haemodialysis in the UK during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Study type? This is a mixed-methods longitudinal study involving online questionnaire surveys and optional telephone interviews at baseline and 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.
Who is able to participate? To take part you must be over the age of 18, currently receiving in-centre haemodialysis treatment, currently living in the UK, and able to understand and speak English.
Where is the study happening? Across the UK via online questionnaire surveys and optional telephone interviews all done from your own home.
Lay summary

We are looking for people currently having in-centre haemodialysis to take part in a research study to improve support for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who need hospital dialysis in the UK during the Covid-19 outbreak. The study involves completing an online questionnaire survey about experiences of in-centre dialysis during the Covid-19 outbreak.

People who complete the survey will then have the option to take part in a telephone interview where one of the researchers will speak with them to gain a more in-depth insight into the responses they gave in the questionnaire and identify what support would be useful and how it should be delivered. We will also conduct follow-up surveys and interviews in 3 and 6 months' time to find out how CKD patients are managing as the outbreak develops, and we will work with renal organisations to help inform the content and delivery of additional online information, advice and psychological support based on the study findings.
How do I get involved?

For more information about the study and guidance on how to take part, visit https://derby.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6zYJmAIsg6RQoUl
Open and close dates of recruitment Open now: January 2021 to autumn 2021
Has this study received ethical approval? Please provide REC number This research study has been ethically approved by the University of Derby Health, Psychology and Social Care Research Ethics Committee (Reference: ETH1920-2748).
Lead investigators
  • Professor James Elander, University of Derby
  • Ms Romaana Kapadi, University of Derby
  • Ms Carol Stalker, University of Derby
  • Mr Ian Danton, University of Derby
  • Professor Nick Selby, University of Nottingham
  • Professor Maarten Taal, University of Nottingham
Who is funding the study? No funding has been received for this research study.
Links for more information

For further information or to discuss this research study please contact either Romaana Kapadi ([email protected]) or James Elander ([email protected]).

*Please note that the research team are currently working remotely and are therefore only available via email.

MIND Charity Mental Health Survey

A survey of more than 16,000 people during lockdown by the charity Mind has revealed the scale of the impact of the pandemic on people with mental health problems. Two out of three (65 per cent) adults over 25 and three-quarters (75 per cent) of young people aged 13-24 with an existing mental health problem reported worse mental health.

You can read the report here

NHS Blood and Transplant - Living Donation survey

As transplant centres look to restart their living donation programmes, NHS Blood and Transplant like to hear how the Covid-19 outbreak has affected donors’ views. If you have donated, are under assessment for, or considering donating a kidney, please complete the survey:here

EXPERIENCES, CONCERNS AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE/WERE ‘SHIELDING’ DUE TO COVID-19 AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS

Would you be interested in sharing your experiences of ‘shielding’ due to Covid-19? We wanted to draw your attention to some research that we thought might be of interest to you. 

The research is about the experiences, concerns and support needs of people who are ‘shielding’ and their family members. It will involve completing an online survey, with the option of subsequently taking part in an interview or focus group, if you want to. Results from the study will be used to provide guidance to health professionals, policy makers and charities during the current Covid-19 pandemic and for future planning.

There are two versions of the survey: 

One for people who are ‘shielding’ or were shielding and are no longer doing so, which can be found here:

https://huddersfieldbss.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3m8vuHigEBVuhM1

One for family members of people who are ‘shielding’ or were shielding and are no longer doing so, which can be found here:

https://huddersfieldbss.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ByOTVXu6Re9Q2x

If you have any queries, please contact the research lead (Professor Ann-Louise Caress, University of Huddersfield) directly on [email protected]

GlaxoSmithKline https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/resource-centre/our-contribution-to-the-fight-against-2019-ncov/

Leeds teaching Hospitals https://www.facebook.com/lthtresearch/photos/a.1448079615470584/2657333124545221/?type=3&theater

Public Health Scotland have a survey  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-shielding

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/supportus/gift-in-action/together-spirit-young-people-isolation

The World Pandemic Research Network (WPRN) https://wprn.org/item/422952

Have your say on the emotional impact of living with kidney disease https://kidneyresearchuk.org/2020/06/01/have-your-say-on-the-emotional-impact-of-living-with-kidney-disease/