Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects on health systems globally. Emerging infectious diseases and pandemics will persist as a global health threat and preparedness for an evidence based response becomes challenging for decision makers. Epidemiological modeling can and has supp...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Dialogues in Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277265332400025X |
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| author | Rebecca Sophia Lais Julia Fitzner Yeon-Kyeng Lee Verena Struckmann |
| author_facet | Rebecca Sophia Lais Julia Fitzner Yeon-Kyeng Lee Verena Struckmann |
| author_sort | Rebecca Sophia Lais |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects on health systems globally. Emerging infectious diseases and pandemics will persist as a global health threat and preparedness for an evidence based response becomes challenging for decision makers. Epidemiological modeling can and has supported decision-making throughout pandemics. This study provides an update of the review “Publicly available software tools for decision-makers during an emergent epidemic—Systematic evaluation of utility and usability”1. Research question: What epidemiological modeling tools for decision-makers are open-sourced available for the usage in emerging epidemics or pandemics and how useful and user-friendly are these tools? Methods: A scoping review was conducted. We identified relevant studies through a search of peer-reviewed (Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane) and gray literature databases, search engines such as Google, searches through stakeholder websites as well as expert consultations. Results: Of the 66 identified epidemiological modeling tools, 29 were included and qualitatively assessed using five-point-rating scales. The tools showed a good baseline of user-friendliness with variations in assessed components, features and utility. Room for improvement was found, specifically the capability to incorporate external data sources, detailed population descriptions, and geographic resolution. Discussion: Development efforts should prioritize clear communication of uncertainties and expert review processes. Trainings for specific tools should be considered. Conclusion: Tool usage can enhance decision-making when adapted to the user's needs and purpose. They should be consulted critically rather than followed blindly. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8c4ea74ebc84426ba8b9cc98b2808f4a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2772-6533 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dialogues in Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8c4ea74ebc84426ba8b9cc98b2808f4a2025-08-20T01:57:04ZengElsevierDialogues in Health2772-65332024-12-01510018910.1016/j.dialog.2024.100189Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review updateRebecca Sophia Lais0Julia Fitzner1Yeon-Kyeng Lee2Verena Struckmann3Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, GermanyWHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Prinzessinnenstr, 17-18, 10969 Berlin, GermanyWHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Prinzessinnenstr, 17-18, 10969 Berlin, Germany; Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187, Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si. Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of KoreaBerlin University of Technology, Department of Health Care Management, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany; Corresponding author.Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects on health systems globally. Emerging infectious diseases and pandemics will persist as a global health threat and preparedness for an evidence based response becomes challenging for decision makers. Epidemiological modeling can and has supported decision-making throughout pandemics. This study provides an update of the review “Publicly available software tools for decision-makers during an emergent epidemic—Systematic evaluation of utility and usability”1. Research question: What epidemiological modeling tools for decision-makers are open-sourced available for the usage in emerging epidemics or pandemics and how useful and user-friendly are these tools? Methods: A scoping review was conducted. We identified relevant studies through a search of peer-reviewed (Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane) and gray literature databases, search engines such as Google, searches through stakeholder websites as well as expert consultations. Results: Of the 66 identified epidemiological modeling tools, 29 were included and qualitatively assessed using five-point-rating scales. The tools showed a good baseline of user-friendliness with variations in assessed components, features and utility. Room for improvement was found, specifically the capability to incorporate external data sources, detailed population descriptions, and geographic resolution. Discussion: Development efforts should prioritize clear communication of uncertainties and expert review processes. Trainings for specific tools should be considered. Conclusion: Tool usage can enhance decision-making when adapted to the user's needs and purpose. They should be consulted critically rather than followed blindly.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277265332400025XDecision supportModelingTool evaluationOutbreak responsePandemicEpidemic |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca Sophia Lais Julia Fitzner Yeon-Kyeng Lee Verena Struckmann Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update Dialogues in Health Decision support Modeling Tool evaluation Outbreak response Pandemic Epidemic |
| title | Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update |
| title_full | Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update |
| title_fullStr | Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update |
| title_full_unstemmed | Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update |
| title_short | Open-sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision-makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic – Systematic evaluation of utility and usability: A scoping review update |
| title_sort | open sourced modeling and simulating tools for decision makers during an emerging pandemic or epidemic systematic evaluation of utility and usability a scoping review update |
| topic | Decision support Modeling Tool evaluation Outbreak response Pandemic Epidemic |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277265332400025X |
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