Knowledge exchange in crisis settings: A scoping review

Abstract

Background Public health practice and efforts to improve the social determinants of health operate within a climate characterised by multiple and intersecting crises. This includes the Covid-19 pandemic as well as more protracted crises such as climate change and persistent social inequalities that impact health. We sought to understand and compare how knowledge exchange (KE) processes occur across different crises, and how knowledge on improving social determinants of health can be utilised at times of crisis to reduce health inequalities and strengthen public systems. Methods We conducted a scoping review to understand how KE on improving social determinants of health can occur across different types of crises (e.g. environmental, pandemics, humanitarian). Relevant studies were identified through electronic searching of Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Results We identified 86 studies for inclusion in the review. Most studies concerned pandemic or environmental crises. Fewer studies explored KE during technical (e.g. nuclear), terror-related or humanitarian crises. This may reflect a limitation of the searches. Few studies assessed KE as part of longer-term responses to social and economic impacts of crises, with studies more likely to focus on immediate response or early recovery stages. Exchange of research evidence or data with policy or practice contextual knowledge was common but there was variation in the extent that lay (public) knowledge was included as part of KE processes. Conclusion As ongoing crises continue with significant public health implications, KE processes should appropriately reflect the complexity inherent in crises and foreground health inequalities. Doing so could include the utilisation of systems or complexity-informed methods to support planning and evaluation of KE, a greater focus on KE to support action to address social determinants of health, and the inclusion of a plurality of knowledge–including lived experience–in planning and responding to crises.

Learning interventions and training methods in health emergencies: A scoping review

“…Overall, our scoping review on ‘just in time’ learning in crises situations dovetails with McGill and colleagues scoping review using the same methods to identify subsequent knowledge exchange processes in health crises [ 11 ].…”

“…In addition, principles of mixed-methods framework synthesis were used to manage diverse study designs and help extract, map, chart, categorize and summarize studies under four prominent topic areas [ 10 ]. Like McGill and colleagues in their recent scoping review on knowledge exchange in crisis settings [ 11 ], we did not go beyond Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology to undertake a synthesis of findings. This aligned with the purpose of this scoping review to identify published peer reviewed studies from which subsequent review questions could be formulated and systematic reviews commissioned.…”

Standardising job descriptions in the humanitarian supply chain: A text mining approach for recruitment process

“…Managerial capabilities and soft skills such as teamwork, ability to listen and communicate [ 28 , 29 ], analytical capabilities regarding the use of ICT, data gathering and exploitation techniques [ 30 , 31 ], as well as the knowledge management processes and procedures to share timely information during crisis [ 32 ], strategic ways of thinking, all those are becoming paramount to develop and implement win-win solutions in such fast-moving and unpredictable changing environment. It is now recognised that NGO operators should be able to perform needs analysis for providing proper supplies and resources in relief; they should demonstrate managerial capabilities in planning and coordinating activities, as well as financial planning to manage relations and develop trust along the supply chain [ 33 ].…”

Initial Standardized Knowledge Management Framework, Formed from Learning During a Humanitarian Crisis

“…An essential aspect of preparing for crisis situations is to develop an appropriate knowledge management model. McGill et al (2023) have made a broad review of approaches to knowledge exchange in crisis settings. Ramalingam (2006) proposed a model demonstrating the importance of using knowledge and learning tools as part of a holistic approach to organisational change.…”