Patient perspectives about participation in a chronic rhinosinusitis
trial during the COVID pandemic: a qualitative study.
Abstract
• Telephone interviews were conducted with 19 MACRO trial participants
from 5 ENT sites across the UK. • Trial participants experienced mixed
levels of communication during the COVID period and some felt uninformed
about the trial status and their clinical situation. • Participants were
most concerned about getting COVID through interactions with other
patients in hospital settings. Conversely, there was a high level of
trust in healthcare professionals. • Pre-visit COVID-safety information,
minimising contact with other patients, and strict waiting room
management can facilitate the restart of the MACRO trial from the
patient perspective. • Patient confidence in trial participation is
likely to continue improving with COVID vaccination roll out.