COVID-19: surveys and research

Due to the need to better understand the impact of COVID-19, many organisations initiated research and academics gathered existing relevant evidence.  

Find out more about our own research efforts, as well as research conducted by other organisations.  

Learning from our COVID-19 member surveys 

We have been running regular surveys during the pandemic, which provides our members with the opportunity to share their experiences of many aspects relating to the COVID-19 response locally, including on issues such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), testing and workforce.

 

Results from our member surveys

April

May

June

July

September

January

 

Research by other organisations

We are frequently being sent details of surveys focusing on the impact of COVID-19 in a range of contexts related to mental health.

In order to support our members to input into this important work, the below list shows details of where these surveys can be accessed.

We are also providing links to emerging evidence and results from surveys and research, as we learn more about COVID-19 and its impacts on mental health.

 

BMJ: The Neurology and Neuropsychiatry of COVID-19

This blog analysed the evolving evidence base to highlight the key papers and collate relevant publications in a database using specified search strategies.

Visit the blog: The Neurology and Neuropsychiatry of COVID-19

Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Living Systematic Review of Mental Health Burden, Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes, and Intervention Effectiveness in the General Population and Vulnerable Populations

This living systematic review collates global evidence on three key topics. The first review estimates the impact of COVID-19 on mental health by comparing changes in symptom levels or proportions of people with diagnoses or above symptom thresholds at different times across the pandemic. The second review synthesizes evidence to identify sociodemographic, medical, and pandemic-related factors associated with poor mental health outcomes. The third review evaluates evidence on effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent the onset of mental health problems or improve mental health outcomes.

Visit the review page: Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Coronerve surveillance survey  

Please support The Surveillance Study of COVID19-associated Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions. The RCPsych is one of several organisations supporting a programme run by Benedict Michael (NIHR Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, University of Liverpool). The programme seeks cases of neurological and psychiatric syndromes associated with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. 

Visit the Coronerve survey

UCL research on the psychological and social effects of Covid-19 in the UK

University College London is running a study into the psychological and social effects of Covid-19 in the UK. The results are being used to understand the effects of the virus and social distancing measures on mental health and loneliness in the UK and to inform government advice and decisions.

They are looking for adults in UK who are happy to take part and spread the word about the study. Participation involves answering a 10 minute online survey now, and then answering a shorter follow-up survey once a week whilst social isolation measures are in place.

Visit the UCL COVID-19 social study

The COVIDA study

The COVIDA research team came together in recognition of the huge potential impact of the COVID outbreak on health workers’ mental health. They decided to urgently develop a large-scale online survey that would allow clear and accurate measurement of the impact on mental health – which factors were associated with a worse or resilience response, and importantly how this impact on mental health changes over time as the COVID crisis evolves.

The COVIDA study had several aims. Firstly, to clearly characterise the problem. The survey contained several validated scales of mental health – stress, anxiety, mood, and trauma, but also comprehensive coverage of personal stressors and experiences, questions about PPE availability, personal safety and risk, and questions allowing quantification of change form pre to post COVID and a range of other important themes. However, it also covered positive aspects – resilience, coping, feeling more valued, and improved team work etc. Additionally, it also collected answers to critical issues such as those coming to the fore around Black, Asian and minority ethnic or being ‘at risk’, and finally also provided open text fields for personalised responses and qualitative analysis.

Read the COVIDA study research paper