Amplifying the role of knowledge translation platforms in the COVID-19 pandemic response

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic presents the worst public health crisis in recent history. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenged by many factors, including scientific uncertainties, scarcity of relevant research, proliferation of misinformation and fake news, poor access to actionable evidence, time constraints, and weak collaborations among relevant stakeholders. Knowledge translation (KT) platforms, composed of organisations, initiatives and networks supporting evidence-informed policy-making, can play an important role in providing relevant and timely evidence to inform pandemic responses and bridge the gap between science, policy, practice and politics. In this Commentary, we highlight the emerging roles of KT platforms in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also reflect on the lessons learned from the efforts of a KT platform in a middle-income country to inform decision-making and practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lessons learned can be integrated into strengthening the role, structures and mandates of KT platforms as hubs for trustworthy evidence that can inform policies and practice during public health crises and in promoting their integration and institutionalisation within the policy-making processes.

A experiência do trabalho voluntário e colaborativo em saúde mental e atenção psicossocial na COVID-19

“…Rapid response in public health emergencies requires not only the availability of scientific evidence, but the development of knowledge translation strategies capable of producing syntheses, dissemination, exchange, and application of knowledge in minimal time frames based on user-friendly formats, simple language, and direct messages 3,4 .…”

“…As noted by El-Jardali et al 3 , mobilizing groups or platforms for rapid response to public health emergencies is both a challenge and a key element for supplying high-quality evidence in a short time. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers mental health part of the public health emergency response for handling COVID-19 5 .…”

Knowledge Translation in Africa: Are The Structures in Place?

“…No single source of evidence can provide comprehensive options to a policy question and as such evidence from routine systems, several research studies and surveys must be synthesised to provide timely and comprehensive answers. Knowledge translation platforms have been instrumental in improving uptake of evidence [13]. El-Jardali et al [13] emphasise that these must be integrated and institutionalised within the policy-making processes.…”

“…Knowledge translation platforms have been instrumental in improving uptake of evidence [13]. El-Jardali et al [13] emphasise that these must be integrated and institutionalised within the policy-making processes. This implies that they must be part of the health sector structures bringing together policy actors and researchers to facilitate synthesis, interpretation and uptake of evidence.…”

“…Generation of evidence is not an end in itself and as such, its use in improving service delivery needs to be viewed as return on investment. El-Jardali et al [13] 2020 highlight the role of KT platforms in the Covid -19 response as important platforms in providing timely evidence to guard against misinformation and political interest and, bridge the science and policy and implementation gap.…”