How One Study Beat the Odds: COVID-19 and Cyberattacks

The COVID-19 pandemic shook up the world of medical research.

With hospitals overwhelmed and staff stretched thin, many clinical trials faced big hurdles. Some were even called off or put on hold.

But not all stories were like that.

The EMERGE trial, which looked at using metformin early in gestational diabetes, managed to wrap up despite everything.

Why did EMERGE succeed when others didn't?

For starters, the people running the trial had to get creative. They had to adjust to new ways of working.

• Recruiting participants became harder.
• Priorities shifted.

But the team found ways to keep going. They didn't let the pandemic stop them.

And it wasn't just the pandemic that caused problems.

The trial also faced cybersecurity threats. Hackers tried to disrupt things by targeting the institution's computer network. This added another layer of challenge to an already tough situation.

Yet, the team behind EMERGE found a way to protect their work and keep the trial on track.

So, what can we learn from this?

The EMERGE trial shows that with the right approach, even big challenges can be overcome.

• Flexibility and quick thinking are key in times of crisis.
• The trial's success offers valuable lessons for the future of medical research.