“It’s about numbers in the hospital at any given time and keeping
people separated as much as possible.” (Participant 3, female, medical
arm)
Some participants would find pre-visit information about the precautions
being taken at the hospital to be reassuring, whilst those who did not
feel the need for additional information recognised the potential value
for anxious patients.
“I would like the paperwork to say this is what they’re doing,
you know, this is what they’re doing to make sure I’m safe, I don’t
catch anything.” (Participant 8, female, medical arm)
COVID vaccination was widely perceived as reducing infection risks and
increased confidence in taking part in a clinical trial. All
participants reported that they would accept the COVID vaccine as soon
as it was offered (several had already received their first dose) and
none appeared to be anxious or sceptical about the vaccine.