Exploration of the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals during their redeployment to clinical roles during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Aim This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals towards their redeployment to frontline clinical roles during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background Healthcare professionals working in research were redeployed during the COVID‐19 pandemic to support the delivery of clinical services across the National Health Service. They are experienced clinicians with research knowledge and skills, and specific working patterns. It is important to understand how these professionals were used and supported during their transition to clinical roles during the pandemic. Method Between July and September 2020, 15 research healthcare professionals were recruited into this qualitative study. Each participant completed a single semi‐structured interview lasting approximately 30–60 min, conducted remotely using a teleconferencing platform. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data analysed by the process of inductive thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo 12.06 (Nov, 2019). Findings Four main themes were identified from analysis of the transcripts: (a) initial personal response to the pandemic (subthemes: of anxieties due to unknown disease impact and concern for others); (b) mobilization for clinical redeployment (subthemes: motivations for voluntary redeployment, the professional challenges, personal fears and the organization and preparedness for redeployment); (c) adaptive deployment to clinical roles (subthemes: adapting to new roles and responsibilities, challenges faced and coping mechanisms), (d) reflections and learnings (subthemes: reintegration to original roles and sense of achievement). Conclusion Research healthcare professionals are highly adaptable professionals equipped with core transferable skills. With the appropriate support, re‐familiarization and induction they are a valuable resource during the pandemic response. Implications to practice Research healthcare professionals are experienced practitioners with transferrable skills and strong sense of duty and resilience. Induction programmes to promote recalibration to clinical settings would improve their adaptability, foster confidence and emotional well‐being. Careful consideration is required prior to mass redeployment to ensure research continuity in both COVID‐19 and other health conditions.