Resources to Facilitate Capacity Building for Pathogen Surveillance
1
Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1122
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Training and workforce development is a central facet of effective pathogen surveillance. Successful training activities require coordinated and continuous efforts, involving multiple stakeholders and dedicated funding. To effectively leverage available expertise and resources, it is essential to develop and apply software tools strategically. Rapid responses to disease outbreaks are contingent upon sustained development of skills, partnerships and infrastructure in the periods which precede them.
METHODS:
Over the past five years, we have developed and delivered training for staff of national public health institutions in Africa, across a range of competency levels and formats. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of our work, we have developed a variety of tools and infrastructure including: (i) a trainer database, (ii) a helpdesk ticketing system, (iii) a targeted Slack workspace including trainers and trainees, (iv) a curated collection of information about relevant training materials available, (v) recorded lectures for a variety of topics, (vi) a number of standardized curriculum for pathogen surveillance and (vii) a web interface which guides users in navigating relevant resources.
RESULTS:
Addressing the crucial and substantial need for training and workforce development in pathogen surveillance requires strategic, sustained and targeted efforts. The development of software tools to facilitate these activities and enhance their sustainability has offered immense value. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) present opportunities to accelerate the development of training resources, improve their accessibility and maximize their impact.
CONCLUSIONS:
We have (1) presented training for pathogen surveillance, (2) developed software resources and (3) implemented AI tools to enhance their utility. Currently, we are identifying opportunities to adopt AI for functions including augmenting accessibility of training resources through translation, developing personalized learning paths, creating enhanced assessment tools and enabling efficient data-driven decision-making.
Training and workforce development is a central facet of effective pathogen surveillance. Successful training activities require coordinated and continuous efforts, involving multiple stakeholders and dedicated funding. To effectively leverage available expertise and resources, it is essential to develop and apply software tools strategically. Rapid responses to disease outbreaks are contingent upon sustained development of skills, partnerships and infrastructure in the periods which precede them.
METHODS:
Over the past five years, we have developed and delivered training for staff of national public health institutions in Africa, across a range of competency levels and formats. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of our work, we have developed a variety of tools and infrastructure including: (i) a trainer database, (ii) a helpdesk ticketing system, (iii) a targeted Slack workspace including trainers and trainees, (iv) a curated collection of information about relevant training materials available, (v) recorded lectures for a variety of topics, (vi) a number of standardized curriculum for pathogen surveillance and (vii) a web interface which guides users in navigating relevant resources.
RESULTS:
Addressing the crucial and substantial need for training and workforce development in pathogen surveillance requires strategic, sustained and targeted efforts. The development of software tools to facilitate these activities and enhance their sustainability has offered immense value. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) present opportunities to accelerate the development of training resources, improve their accessibility and maximize their impact.
CONCLUSIONS:
We have (1) presented training for pathogen surveillance, (2) developed software resources and (3) implemented AI tools to enhance their utility. Currently, we are identifying opportunities to adopt AI for functions including augmenting accessibility of training resources through translation, developing personalized learning paths, creating enhanced assessment tools and enabling efficient data-driven decision-making.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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