False Starts, Flexibility & Persistence

Posted on Jul 19, 2022 by Kelly Gleason in Research

We almost started our in-person events this week, we almost gathered in the same room and almost celebrated with morning coffee and croissants but alas…Covid had other plans and we had to re-schedule our first in person event since the pandemic began.

But what I have learned over the last two years, is that we are capable of so much more than we ever thought possible before we ever learned of this coronavirus.

Covid may have stalled us, but this false start was by no means going to stop us. After a few phone calls and conversations with the venue, the facilitator and the lead nurse at the organisation for whom the event was organised, we quickly had a new date and a new plan. The course was to go ahead, in person in September. This little inconvenience did not override the desire to gather, learn and share in the same room. We did not revert to the safer choice of an online event, the decision was to try a new date after the summer holidays as learning together was too important, especially right now.

This pandemic has tested us in so many ways. We have all experienced loss. We have loss people, old ways of working and living, the freedom to travel and see family and friends whenever we want. Some things we were glad to lose, we just needed the excuse of the pandemic to let them go. And somethings we were pleasantly surprised to learn we could easily live without them.

As the pandemic continues, it continues to offer the opportunity to re-evaluate our lives and the choices we make. Many people are planning some well-earned rest this summer and travel to the destinations they have not been able to enjoy for a while. Others are thinking about change; a new place to live, a new job or simply news ways of living and working where they are.

What is important to you as we move into this next phase of living with Covid. What would you like to see done differently as we shape our new normal? What do you not want to go back to? What would you like to see that would improve the experience of your patients and/or your satisfaction in your role?

We have learned that we are capable of so much more than we ever realised, and the new normal will evolve with or without your input, so why not intentionally decide what you would like to see change? Why not begin talking about your thoughts with the people around you? You and your colleagues have the power to influence how you work, how your patients feel as research participants and what research in healthcare will look in the future.

What change do you want to see?