Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published on: November 7, 2020
Research protocol design and implementation of a hybrid no-touch and low-touch prospective observational study during
Becky Straub1, Katie R Mollan1, Jessica R Keys1
1School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Introduction:
The conduct of clinical research is essential during public health emergencies, including COVID-19, to characterise the natural history of the infection to inform case definitions, identify risk factors for severe disease, transmission patterns, short and long-term complications and safe and effective treatments and vaccines. Policies aimed at mitigating transmission of SARS-CoV-2 proved challenging to conduct clinical research. Here, we describe the Vital Status and Outcomes of COVID-19 (VISION) study, a hybrid no-touch and low-touch clinical research protocol following participants recently infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Methods And Analysis:
In this prospective longitudinal no-touch and low-touch observational study of recent SARS-CoV-2 infection, participants are enrolled virtually into a no-touch online primary cohort, which collects clinical information using electronic surveys. Eligible participants are able to additionally enrol into low-touch cohorts that collect biospecimens to characterise viral and immune dynamics.
Ethics And Dissemination:
The VISION study is approved by the UNC Biomedical Institutional Review Board. Virtual enrolment coupled with hybrid no and low-touch data collection reduces barriers to participation in clinical research while allowing for an expansive investigation of the COVID-19 disease course.
Related Concept Videos
Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
Naturalistic Observations
Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

