Researchers identify critical knowledge areas for managing the spread of COVID-19

Researchers at the University of Wolverhampton have developed a concept knowledge map for managing the spread of COVID-19.

During the pandemic, sharing other people’s experiences of robust and clear practical procedures is vital to align with health-care professionals, sharing best practice to manage the spread of the virus.

For professionals dealing with the pandemic in health care settings, it can prove difficult to access core information for highly knowledge-intensive activities, such as public health problem-solving and decision-making.

This situation called for knowledge mapping to increase the visibility of this information and facilitate and accelerate the process of locating relevant expertise or experience.

Dr Suresh Renukappa researcher at the University of Wolverhampton along with team members Dr Subashini Suresh and Wala Abdalla and support of Dr Shyam Menon, at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust identified seven areas of critical knowledge that decision-makers should be aware of.  The seven areas included:

1. Cleaning and disinfection
2. Training, education and communication
3. Reporting guidance and updates
4. Testing
5. Infection control measures
6. Personal protective equipment
7. Potential COVID-19 transmission in health and other care settings

The study concluded that knowledge mapping related to COVID-19 assists in reducing and minimising the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in hospitals, and other health-care settings.

This work makes a major contribution to research on knowledge management (KM) and the management of public health emergencies by demonstrating how knowledge mapping, as one of the most powerful KM approaches, enhancing quick and effective decision-making.