Katrina Davis, Sharon Stevelink, Ammar Al-Chalabi, Gabriella Bergin-Cartwright, Rupa Bhundia, Howard Burdett, Ewan Carr, Grace Lavelle, Daniel Leightley, Candice Middleton, Timothy Nicholson, Lucy O'Neill, Kate Polling, Aoife Ruane, Alice Wickersham, Matthew Hotopf, Reza Razavi
| Original language | English |
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| Journal | MedRxiv |
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| Publication status | Published - 19 Jun 2020 |
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- Katrina Davis (Psychological Medicine and Integrated Care Clinical Academic Group, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, Psychological Medicine)
- Sharon Stevelink (Psychological Medicine, Psychological Medicine and Integrated Care Clinical Academic Group)
- Ammar Al-Chalabi (Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Clinical Neurosciences Clinical Academic Group, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre)
- Gabriella Bergin-Cartwright (Psychological Medicine)
- Howard Burdett (Psychological Medicine, Psychological Medicine and Integrated Care Clinical Academic Group)
- Ewan Carr (Biostatistics & Health Informatics, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre)
- Grace Lavelle (Psychological Medicine)
- Daniel Leightley (Psychological Medicine)
- Candice Middleton (London Institute of Healthcare Engineering)
- Timothy Nicholson (Psychosis Studies, Clinical Neurosciences Clinical Academic Group, Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre)
- Kate Polling (Psychological Medicine)
- Aoife Ruane (London Institute of Healthcare Engineering)
- Alice Wickersham (Psychological Medicine, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre)
- Matthew Hotopf (Psychological Medicine, Psychological Medicine and Integrated Care Clinical Academic Group, Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre)
- Reza Razavi (Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Imaging and Biomedical Engineering Clinical Academic Group, Child Health Clinical Academic Group, Cardiovascular Imaging)
Introduction
We will use an occupational sample to study the impact of COVID-19 on current staff and postgraduate research students at a large UK university. The cohort study will address some of the key questions about COVID-19 for the international community, while also providing feedback to the employer and educator.
Methods and analysis
Participants were recruited via email to their University email address. Administrative records were available to compare the composition of volunteer participants to underlying staff and postgraduate student populations of the University. The study comprises a baseline survey, longitudinal follow-up surveys and a viral antibody study. Baseline information was collected in April 2020 including demographics, working situation, current stresses and worries, mental health and neurological symptoms. Personal experiences of COVID-19, indirect experiences and attitudes towards the pandemic were queried, as well as satisfaction with communication and support at work. Longitudinal surveys will assess changes in COVID-19 exposure and mental health. A viral antibody detection component is being planned and will also be longitudinal in nature.
Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval has been gained from KCL’s Psychiatry, Nursing and Midwifery Research Ethics Committee (HR-19/20-18247). Participants were provided with information and agreed to a series of consent statements before enrolment. Data are kept on secure servers with access to personally identifiable information limited. Researchers may apply to have access to pseudonymised data. Findings will be disseminated internally to the University and participants, and externally through scientific publications.