WHO competency framework for health authorities and institutions to manage infodemics: its development and features

Abstract

Background In April 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) Information Network for Epidemics produced an agenda for managing the COVID-19 infodemic. “Infodemic” refers to the overabundance of information—including mis- and disinformation. In this agenda it was pointed out the need to create a competency framework for infodemic management (IM). This framework was released by WHO on 20th September 2021. This paper presents the WHO framework for IM by highlighting the different investigative steps behind its development. Methods The framework was built through three steps. Step 1 included the preparatory work following the guidelines in the Guide to writing Competency Framework for WHO Academy courses. Step 2 was based on a qualitative study with participants (N = 25), identified worldwide on the basis of their academic background in relevant fields of IM or of their professional experience in IM activities at the institutional level. The interviews were conducted online between December 2020 and January 2021, they were video-recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis. In Step 3, two stakeholder panels were conducted to revise the framework. Results The competency framework contains four primary domains, each of which comprised main activities, related tasks, and knowledge and skills. It identifies competencies to manage and monitor infodemics, to design, conduct and evaluate appropriate interventions, as well as to strengthen health systems. Its main purpose is to assist institutions in reinforcing their IM capacities and implementing effective IM processes and actions according to their individual contexts and resources. Conclusion The competency framework is not intended to be a regulatory document nor a training curriculum. As a WHO initiative, it serves as a reference tool to be applied according to local priorities and needs within the different countries. This framework can assist institutions in strengthening IM capacity by hiring, staff development, and human resources planning.

From dimensions, levels and domains to context-specific conceptualizations of health literacy

“…According to Norman and Skinner ( 21 ), e-health literacy, or what is often also referred to as digital health literacy, is a complex construct that consists of six types of literacy, namely: ( 1 ) computer or digital literacy, which refers to skills related to using a computer and the Internet; ( 2 ) information literacy, which includes the competences of searching, evaluating and using retrieved information; ( 3 ) media literacy, which pertains to the skills and knowledge required to interpret various audio and visual forms of resources and create meaning out of their content; ( 4 ) traditional literacy, which refers to the basic skills of writing, reading, calculating, understanding and interpreting information in a given context; ( 5 ) science literacy, which consists of competences of knowing basic scientific concepts and reasoning, which helps individuals to understand, evaluate, and give meaning to basic scientific facts; and ( 6 ) health literacy.…”

“…Accordingly, it is not surprising that increasing health literacy is one of the WHO’s preoccupations ( 5 ). Health literacy plays a crucial role also in current infodemic management plans ( 6 ) intended to protect people from an increasing overabundance of (in)valid information related to specific health topics, conditions or diseases in the physical and digital environment ( 7 ).…”

Correction to: WHO competency framework for health authorities and institutions to manage infodemics: its development and features

“…Following publication of the original article [ 1 ], the authors identified an error in the author name of Elisabeth Wilhelm.…”

Factors for effective identification of patients at nutritional risk in clinical practice: Thematic analysis of qualitative research

“…Malnutrition can exacerbate the effects of chronic disease management and lead to an increased risk of complications during treatment, increased mortality and poorer quality of life for patients during and after treatment ( 6 ). All these negative consequences of malnutrition also have a negative financial impact on the healthcare system, as the treatment of malnourished patients increases the number of visits to the primary care physician or home visits and directly correlates with longer hospital stays and increased hospital readmissions due to complications ( 7 ).…”