This article is about modifications to study methods implemented to avoid face-to-face contact when identifying and recruiting potential participants, gaining informed consent, conducting appointments, and collecting outcome data, and the implications of these changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has required numerous changes to the conduct of research activities, but many of those modifications will be useful in post-COVID-19 research settings. Also COVID-19 brings a new opportunity to embrace new technologies and maintain them in the future, both for rural patients and for vulnerable populations, as well as to avoid unnecessary travel and its burden on individuals and the environment. Critical limitations of and biases potentially introduced by some modifications need to be carefully considered when implementing changes to study procedures and interpreting study results.
