Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36109810›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2022

Guiding organisational decision-making about COVID-19 asymptomatic testing in workplaces: mixed-method study to inform an ethical framework.

Jan W van der Scheer, Akbar Ansari, Meredith McLaughlin, Caitríona Cox, Kathleen Liddell, Jenni Burt, Jenny George, Rebecca Kenny, Ruth Cousens, Brandi Leach and 4 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Jan W van der ScheerTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Akbar AnsariTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Meredith McLaughlinTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Caitríona CoxTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Kathleen LiddellFaculty of Law, The David Williams Building, 10 West Rd, Cambridge, CB3 9DZ, UK.
Jenni BurtTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Jenny GeorgeRAND Europe, Westbrook Centre/Milton Rd, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, UK.
Rebecca KennyTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Ruth CousensTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Brandi LeachRAND Europe, Westbrook Centre/Milton Rd, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, UK.
James McGowanTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
Katherine MorleyRAND Europe, Westbrook Centre/Milton Rd, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, UK.
Janet WillarsDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, George Davies Centre, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
Mary Dixon-WoodsTHIS Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK. director@thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk.

Funding

Department of HealthWellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWorkplace programmes to test staff for asymptomatic COVID-19 infection have become common, but raise a number of ethical challenges. In this article, we report the findings of a consultation that informed the development of an ethical framework for organisational decision-making about such programmes.

methodsWe conducted a mixed-method consultation - a survey and semi-structured interviews during November-December 2020 in a UK case study organisation that had introduced asymptomatic testing for all staff working on-site in its buildings. Analysis of closed-ended survey data was conducted descriptively. An analysis approach based on the Framework Method was used for the open-ended survey responses and interview data. The analyses were then integrated to facilitate systematic analysis across themes. Inferences were based on the integrated findings and combined with other inputs (literature review, ethical analysis, legal and public health guidance, expert discussions) to develop an ethical framework.

resultsThe consultation involved 61 staff members from the case study organisation (50 survey respondents and 11 interview participants). There was strong support for the asymptomatic testing programme: 90% of the survey respondents viewed it as helpful or very helpful. Open-ended survey responses and interviews gave insight into participants' concerns, including those relating to goal drift, risk of false negatives, and potential negative impacts for household members and people whose roles lacked contractual and financial stability. Integration of the consultation findings and the other inputs identified the importance of a whole-system approach with appropriate support for the key control measure of isolation following positive tests. The need to build trust in the testing programme, for example through effective communication from leaders, was also emphasised.

conclusionsThe consultation, together with other inputs, informed an ethical framework intended to support employers. The framework may support organisational decision-making in areas ranging from design and operation of the programme through to choices about participation. The framework is likely to benefit from further consultation and refinement in new settings.

Indexed as

COVID-19WorkplaceCOVID-19 TestingDecision Making, OrganizationalHumansPublic HealthBioethicsCOVID-19Mixed-methodQualitativeSurveyTestingWorkplaces

Identifiers

PMID36109810
PMCPMC9476340

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.