Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The South African National Department of Health (NDoH), members of the National Essential Medicines List Ministerial Advisory Committee (NEML-MAC) on COVID-19 Therapeutics, and the South African GRADE Network, co-led by Cochrane South Africa (SA) and the Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, collaborated on rapid evidence reviews to inform the National Essential Medicines List and Guidelines for COVID-19 management since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A strategy was needed to communicate the findings of these rapid reviews to healthcare professionals managing COVID-19 in South Africa (SA).
Objectives: To develop infographics of rapid reviews to aid access for healthcare professionals to reliable, high-quality evidence to inform decisions around COVID-19 management in SA.
Methods: We collaborated with a graphic designer to create relevant infographics from rapid reviews. Infographic topics were prioritised in consultation with the NEML-MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics. We worked with the designer to ensure correct content and readability. The final graphics were sent to the NEML-MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics members for a final content check and sign off. Infographics were then shared with the NDoH and uploaded on their website (https://www.health.gov.za/covid-19-rapid-reviews/).
Results: Four infographics of rapid reviews were developed for the use of baricitinib (Figure 1), inhaled corticosteroids (Figure 2), oral corticosteroids (Figure 3) and ivermectin (Figure 4) to treat COVID-19. These were shared on the NDoH website, on social media and among academic networks. A COVID-19 inpatient and outpatient management algorithm infographic is also currently under development.
Conclusions: It is important to translate research into digestible information packages for healthcare professionals to access and be able to use. Infographics are a useful means to communicate these findings in an understandable and readable product which can be shared easily and widely.
Patient, public and/or healthcare consumer involvement: Shared with healthcare professionals through the NDoH website, social media and professional networks.
Objectives: To develop infographics of rapid reviews to aid access for healthcare professionals to reliable, high-quality evidence to inform decisions around COVID-19 management in SA.
Methods: We collaborated with a graphic designer to create relevant infographics from rapid reviews. Infographic topics were prioritised in consultation with the NEML-MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics. We worked with the designer to ensure correct content and readability. The final graphics were sent to the NEML-MAC on COVID-19 Therapeutics members for a final content check and sign off. Infographics were then shared with the NDoH and uploaded on their website (https://www.health.gov.za/covid-19-rapid-reviews/).
Results: Four infographics of rapid reviews were developed for the use of baricitinib (Figure 1), inhaled corticosteroids (Figure 2), oral corticosteroids (Figure 3) and ivermectin (Figure 4) to treat COVID-19. These were shared on the NDoH website, on social media and among academic networks. A COVID-19 inpatient and outpatient management algorithm infographic is also currently under development.
Conclusions: It is important to translate research into digestible information packages for healthcare professionals to access and be able to use. Infographics are a useful means to communicate these findings in an understandable and readable product which can be shared easily and widely.
Patient, public and/or healthcare consumer involvement: Shared with healthcare professionals through the NDoH website, social media and professional networks.