S&T Trends

Challenges and Opportunities for Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yodi Mahendradhata

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost all areas of daily lives, including research. While
fit a world where crisis is the new normal. presented great opportunities for research to improve moving forward. Key challenges for health research include: erosion of public trust on clinical trials due to concerns that procedures are being cut with regard to safety and efficacy; difficulties to conduct research
due to pandemic circumstances; and distortion of health research priorities and funding. 

Key opportunities for health research include: extra time to conduct pending studies, data analysis,
manuscript writing as well as to pursue new research ideas and acquire new skills; increased
public appreciation of research; and momentum for universities to change. Researchers and
research institutions should draw more attention to opportunities and shift to a more positive
narrative to mobilise for change. Now is the time to reconstruct research models and paradigms to
fit a world where crisis is the new normal.

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