Publications

@article{Blake2022-sv,

title = {Workforce experiences of a rapidly established SARS-CoV-2 

 asymptomatic testing service in a higher education setting: A 

 qualitative study},

author = {Holly Blake and Sarah Somerset and Ikra Mahmood and Neelam Mahmood and Jessica Corner and Jonathan K Ball and Chris Denning},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

journal = {Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health},

volume = {19},

number = {19},

pages = {12464},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {The aim of the study was to explore workforce experiences of the 

 rapid implementation of a SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic testing 

 service (ATS) in a higher education setting during the COVID-19 

 pandemic. The setting was a multi-campus university in the UK, 

 which hosted a testing service for employees and students over 

 two years. Qualitative semi-structured videoconference 

 interviews were conducted. We contacted 58 participants and 25 

 were interviewed (43% response rate). Data were analysed 

 thematically. The analysis produced four overarching themes: (1) 

 feelings relating to their involvement in the service, (2) 

 perceptions of teamwork, (3) perceptions of ATS leadership, (4) 

 valuing the opportunity for career development. Agile and 

 inclusive leadership style created psychological safety and team 

 cohesion, which facilitated participants in the implementation 

 of a rapid mitigation service, at pace and scale. Specific 

 features of the ATS (shared vision, collaboration, networking, 

 skills acquisition) instilled self-confidence, value and 

 belonging, meaningfully impacting on professional development 

 and career opportunities. This is the first qualitative study to 

 explore the experiences of university employees engaged in the 

 rapid deployment of a service as part of a pandemic outbreak and 

 mitigation strategy within a higher education setting. Despite 

 pressures and challenges of the task, professional growth and 

 advancement were universal. This has implications for workforce 

 engagement and creating workplaces across the sector that are 

 well-prepared to respond to future pandemics and other 

 disruptive events.},

keywords = {careers, COVID-19, employability, higher education, SARS-CoV-2, universities, workforce},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Blake2022-nv,

title = {Mixed-methods process evaluation of a residence-based 

 SARS-CoV-2 testing participation pilot on a UK university 

 campus during the COVID-19 pandemic},

author = {H Blake and S Carlisle and L Fothergill and J Hassard and A Favier and J Corner and J K Ball and C Denning},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-08-01},

journal = {BMC Public Health},

volume = {22},

number = {1},

pages = {1470},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Regular testing for Severe Acute Respiratory 

 Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important strategy for 

 controlling virus outbreaks on university campuses during the 

 COVID-19 pandemic but testing participation rates can be low. 

 The Residence-Based Testing Participation Pilot (RB-TPP) was a 

 novel intervention implemented at two student residences on a 

 large UK university campus over 4 weeks. The aim of the pilot 

 was to increase the frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 saliva 

 testing onsite. This process evaluation aimed to determine 

 whether RB-TPP was implemented as planned and identify 

 implementation barriers and facilitators. METHODS: A 

 mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted alongside the 

 RB-TPP. Evaluation participants were students (opting in, or out 

 of RB-TPP) and staff with a role in service provision or student 

 support. Monitoring data were collected from the intervention 

 delivery team and meeting records. Data were collected from students via online survey (n = 152) and seven focus groups (n = 30), and from staff via individual interviews (n = 13). 

 Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative 

 data thematically. Barriers and facilitators to implementation 

 were mapped to the 'Capability, Opportunity, 

 Motivation-Behaviour' (COM-B) behaviour change framework. 

 RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-four students opted to participate 

 in RB-TPP (98% of students living onsite). RB-TPP was 

 implemented broadly as planned but relaxed social distancing was 

 terminated early due to concerns relating to national escalation 

 of the COVID-19 Delta variant, albeit testing continued. Most 

 students (97.9%) perceived the period of relaxed social 

 distancing within residences positively. The majority engaged in 

 asymptomatic testing (88%); 46% (52% of testers) were fully 

 compliant with pre-determined testing frequency. Implementation 

 was facilitated by convenience and efficiency of testing, and 

 reduction in the negative impacts of isolation through 

 opportunities for students to socialise. Main barriers to 

 implementation were perceived mixed-messages about the rules, 

 ambivalent attitudes, and lack of adherence to COVID-19 

 protective measures in the minority. CONCLUSIONS: This process 

 evaluation identifies factors that help or hinder the success of 

 university residence-based outbreak prevention and management 

 strategies. RB-TPP led to increased rates of SARS-CoV-2 testing 

 participation among students in university residences. Perceived 

 normalisation of university life significantly enhanced student 

 mental wellbeing. The complexity and challenge generated by 

 multiple lines of communication and rapid adaptions to a 

 changing pandemic context was evident. TRIAL REGISTRATION 

 NUMBER: UKAS 307727-02-01; Pre-results. CLINICALTRIALS: gov 

 Identifier: NCT05045989 ; post-results (first posted, 16/09/21). 

 ETHICAL APPROVAL: Faculty of Medicine \& Health Sciences 

 Research Ethics Committee, University of Nottingham (Ref: FMHS 

 96-0920).},

keywords = {Complex interventions, COVID-19, Implementation, Mixed-methods, Process evaluation, Public health, SARS-CoV-2, universities},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}