International co-operation despite of corona

The RENE project international meeting was just coming up as the Covid-19 pandemic hit. It was late February and the team was in the middle of conducting the research to analyse the conditions (see more here).  To conclude this phase of the project, a meeting with the partners in Slovenia during late March was planned. We were looking forward working face-to-face after the first kick-off meeting but it was not possible due to the COVID-19 breakdown in Europe. As the pandemic was just getting started, the Consortium decided to postpone the meeting. 

Instead of having delays in the project, the team quickly reorganized the work to online meetings.  The intensive week in Slovenia was substituted by intensive days in online meetings. With all participants safely isolated in their homes, the group could continue working.  

At that time (April 2020), we were hopeful that we would not have to cancel the Slovenia meeting but postpone it for late August. Not knowing how the situation would unfold, all hopes were up.  As the summer passed, the situation did not improve enough. After consideration, the team decided it would be best to stay safe and work from home. In the first week of September, intensive days online took place for the second time.  

We are happy to conclude the project is right on schedule despite the unfortunate situation preventing the partners from meeting face-to-face. The upcoming fall is full of work, and we surely need to have face to face meeting in few months. Even though the majority of work can be done virtually, our topic requires practical sessions. We need to familiarize the team with cultural differences in patient transfers. The RENE team is working as hard as always and we hope to share updates on progress soon! 

Kristiina Lokko, RENE team member from Estonia 

Reviewed by editorial team of RENE

Published 27.09.20