Defining Global Health Diplomacy in a Post-COVID Era: Investigating the Knowledge, Skills, and Core Competencies Required by US Global Health Diplomacy Actors
Open Access DepositedBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) actors' knowledge, skills, and competencies, which hindered their ability to respond effectively to a health crisis of this magnitude. As new COVID-19 variants and other infectious diseases emerge, there is an urgent need to address these gaps to ensure that GHD actors are equipped to navigate and respond effectively to future health challenges.Research Questions: The study’s research questions were: RQ 1: What skills do GHD actors need for effective GHD practice in a post-COVID era? RQ 2: What core competencies do GHD actors need for effective GHD practice in a post-COVID era? RQ3: What technical knowledge gaps exist amongst GHD actors? RQ 4: How do GHD actors define Global Health Diplomacy in a post-COVID era? Methods: A Grounded Theory and descriptive qualitative design were used to investigate the knowledge, skills, and core competencies required for GHD practice in a post-COVID era. Data was collected using key informant interviews. The study population comprised US-based Core, Multistakeholder, and Informal Global Health Diplomacy actors. A purposive sampling strategy that leveraged criterion and snowball sampling was used to select participants. Twenty-one interviews were conducted: Core (7), Multistakeholder (7), and Informal (7). Findings: To effectively practice GHD or be considered competent, GHD actors must appropriately apply the required knowledge, skills, and abilities at the right place and time. Study findings revealed similarities and differences in required knowledge, skills, and competencies within and between GHD actors, indicating that the knowledge, skills, and core competencies requirements for GHD practice are not one-size-fits-all. Therefore, Global Health Diplomacy Training will need to be tailored to meet GHD actors' core competency gaps. Research Implications and Significance: This study proposes a novel conceptual framework systematically developed to be responsive to priority focus areas for Global Health Diplomacy in a post-COVID era. The framework proposes recommendations for strengthening the gaps and inadequacies of the pandemic response and challenges to practicing GHD during this period. It also represents a shift in how GHD actors' capacity can be strengthened in a post-COVID world while concurrently strengthening countries' ability to prevent, detect, and respond to global health threats speedily and comprehensively.
- All rights reserved
Notice to Authors
If you are the author of this work and you have any questions about the information on this page, please use the Contact form to get in touch with us.
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
EsapebongRay_gwu_0075A_16782.pdf | 2024-10-02 | Open Access |
|