Learned Lessons from the Research Activities of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences During COVID-19 Pandemic

The release of information without scientific basis about the new corona virus (2019) pandemic has now become a global anxiety. The aim of this study was to analyze the performance, planning and flexibility of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in response to the new coronavirus (covid-19) Pandemic crisis to produce and disseminate evidence-based information.

This was an organizational study which was done by descriptive methods. After announcement of a call for Covid-19 research project from the website of Tabriz University of Medical Science (TUOMS), a new policy was arranged for review process. The time and production of evidence were the major factors for this experience. Electronic arbitration methods and virtual discussion were used. Quantitative data was performed in MS Excel version 16 and the results were presented in the form of tables and graphs.

Due to the urgency of aggregating the evidence, the review process was done by the scientific team during a maximum of 72 and by the ethical team within 24 hours (excluding the spent time by the principal investigators), 64 research and technological projects were prioritized. The shortest possible review process, the interactive approach of reviewing and problem-based nature of the approved topics were among the most important achievements.

This experience showed that cohesive organizational activities in the field of research and flexibility of the processes can play a significant role in dealing with epidemics and crises in order to overcome obstacles, challenges and for production of scientific evidence.