Investigating the capabilities of information technologies to support policymaking in COVID‐19 crisis management; a systematic review and expert opinions

Abstract

Background: Today, numerous countries are fighting to protect themselves against the Covid-19 crisis, while the policymakers are confounded and empty handed in dealing with this chaotic circumstance. The infection and its impacts have made it difficult to make optimal and suitable decisions. New information technologies play significant roles in such critical situations to address and relieve stress during the coronavirus crisis. This article endeavours to recognize the challenges policymakers have typically experienced during pandemic diseases, including Covid-19, and, accordingly, new information technology capabilities to encounter with them. Material and methods: The current study utilizes the synthesis of findings of experts' opinions within the systematic review process as the research method to recognize the best available evidence drawn from text and opinion to offer practical guidance for policymakers. Results: The results illustrate that the challenges fall into two categories including; encountering the disease and reducing the results of the disease. Furthermore, Internet of things, cloud computing, machine learning and social networking play the most significant roles to address these challenges.

Searching for New Model of Digital Informatics for Human–Computer Interaction: Testing the Institution-Based Technology Acceptance Model (ITAM)

“…While it is important to emphasize the convenience and benefits of operationalization of new technologies, it is also important to construct basic institutional arrangements for their utilization. The usage of information technology for pandemic management is still a long way from achieving an integrated system focused on effective cooperation between humans and machines for disease prevention and treatment [ 28 ]. As legal frameworks have been critical to more promptly responding to the COVID-19 crisis, the need for more comprehensive regional and national disease registries is required.…”

“…Among these trends, there have been intense and innovative attempts to reshape structures and improve performance in the public sector using interactive technology. For example, confronted with the current COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, we recognize the potential role of new technology in the fourth industrial revolution in alleviating and resolving issues [ 28 ]. However, the usage of this technology is still a long way off and each country has different institutional arrangements and resources to utilize the benefits of new technology.…”

Characteristics and specifications of dashboards developed for the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

“…ITs are used not only in day-to-day activities but also in critical situations. Given the challenges posed to policy-makers, decision-makers, and health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of novel ITs is indispensable to optimally manage and inform the public about such a widespread and complicated situation (Mehraeen et al 2020 ; Wang and Wu 2020 ). In such emergency circumstances, the use of IT-based solutions such as dashboards that can collect, integrate, display, and analyze data and information related to COVID-19 from various sources can assist decision-makers in making more informed decisions and intervening appropriately (Asadzadeh et al 2020 ; Manalu et al 2020 ).…”

Correlating global trends in COVID-19 cases with online symptom checker self-assessments

“…Pandemics are a unique challenge for both policymakers and the general population. The former requires various up-to-date information to make informed decisions, including locations of virus outbreaks, emerging variants, and the current load on the health system [1]. The general population instead requires infrastructure to access curated information and health services, like tests, vaccination, and consultation.…”