A Qualitative Exploration of Stakeholder Experiences and Perceptions of Uganda’s Clinical Research Policies and Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Qualitative study observes that adaptive research policies supported ethics oversight during pandemic disruptions, indicating a need for resilient regulatory infrastructure.
Key Points
To explore stakeholder experiences and perceptions regarding the implementation and influence of clinical research policies and guidelines on ethical research during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted a qualitative descriptive study across seven districts in Uganda involving N=56 participants, including research ethics committee leaders, administrators, researchers, and regulatory officials.
Gathered data via virtual in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
Transcribed audio recordings verbatim and analyzed qualitative findings using thematic analysis.
Stakeholders reported that policies enabled research continuity through joint protocol reviews, coordinated regulatory oversight, and digital adaptations like remote monitoring and hybrid consent.
Systemic operational challenges persisted, characterized by increased workloads, constrained physical monitoring due to travel restrictions, and financial limitations.