Background: The advent of a global threat to human health (Covid-19) may have brought the world economy to a standstill, and substantially affected older populations. Social distancing restrictions further impaired researchers’ ability to identify, recruit, interview patients face-to-face or access health facilities to extract data. However, the pandemic also afforded us unforeseen opportunities.
Change: Isolation and ‘working from home’, with potentially fewer interruptions, propelled researchers into ‘protected time’ to investigate the causes and consequences of the virus, and strategies to manage both COVID and non-COVID patients, projects, and out-of-hospital services. Many researchers embraced the novel, changed career trajectory as the opportunity presented to make an impact in this new field. Scoping and systematic reviews were speedily conducted, often leveraging off available automation tools, and international collaborations developed organically as researchers were keen to learn from each other. Large amounts of funding were injected into infectious disease and public health research, including that targeting older people. Ethics applications were fast-tracked. New knowledge on the impacts on older people was available every week and much was rapidly translated into practice by policy-makers and governments.
The media was freshly eager to hear and co-produce science reports. The shock of the unknown meant the public suddenly wanted to hear about scientific progress, as life in cases literally depended on it. The public were empowered to contribute to citizens science. Researchers became creative in their study designs, using communication technology to continue focus group discussions, online surveys, nominal group techniques and clinician interviews. Many older people became newly familiar with electronic devices and telehealth services. Online meetings, journal clubs and conferences became the norm across hospitals and universities, facilitating development and sharing of ideas. Conference registration fees even dropped, as organisers moved to online platforms. Databases became available for borders. New pre-print platforms emerged to allow rapid dissemination, and many subscriptions journals offered free open access for COVID-related research papers.
Learnings: Despite the catastrophic mortality and morbidity of this period, it appears COVID has offered some benefits to society. Research creativity was boosted by the necessity to continue our research at this important historical time. Technology and international goodwill empowered researchers, health services and users to share developments and experiences. The unprecedented research explosion into the physical, social, financial and environmental impact of the pandemic – including for older people- will leave a legacy for the next century or future pandemics in this generation.