Chatbots, generative AI, and scholarly manuscripts: WAME recommendations on chatbots and generative artificial intelligence in relation to scholarly publications

This statement revises our earlier "WAME Recommendations on ChatGPT and Chatbots in Relation to Scholarly Publications" (January 20, 2023). The revision reflects the proliferation of chatbots and their expanding use in scholarly publishing over the last few months, as well as emerging concerns regarding lack of authenticity of content when using chatbots. These recommendations are intended to inform editors and help them develop policies for the use of chatbots in papers published in their journals. They aim to help authors and reviewers understand how best to attribute the use of chatbots in their work and to address the need for all journal editors to have access to manuscript screening tools. In this rapidly evolving field, we will continue to modify these recommendations as the software and its applications develop.

Esta declaración revisa las anteriores "Recomendaciones de WAME sobre ChatGPT y Chatbots en Relation to Scholarly Publications" (20 de enero de 2023). La revisión refleja la proliferación de chatbots y su creciente uso en las publicaciones académicas en los últimos meses, así como la preocupación por la falta de autenticidad de los contenidos cuando se utilizan chatbots. Estas recomendaciones pretenden informar a los editores y ayudarles a desarrollar políticas para el uso de chatbots en los artículos sometidos en sus revistas. Su objetivo es ayudar a autores y revisores a entender cuál es la mejor manera de atribuir el uso de chatbots en su trabajo y a la necesidad de que todos los editores de revistas tengan acceso a herramientas de selección de manuscritos. En este campo en rápida evolución, seguiremos modificando estas recomendaciones a medida que se desarrollen el software y sus aplicaciones.

COP27 Climate Change Conference: urgent action needed for Africa and the world / Conferencia sobre cambio climático COP27: se necesita una acción urgente para África y el mundo

Wealthy nations must step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present and future impacts of climate change The 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a dark picture of the future of life on earth, characterised by ecosystem collapse, species extinction, and climate hazards such as heatwaves and floods (1). These are all linked to physical and mental health problems, with direct and indirect consequences of increased morbidity and mortality. To avoid these catastrophic health effects across all regions of the globe, there is broad agreement­as 231 health journals argued together in 2021­that the rise in global temperature must be limited to less than 1.5oC compared with pre-industrial levels.

El informe de 2022 del Panel Intergubernamental sobre el Cambio Climático (IPCC por sus siglas en inglés) pinta un panorama sombrío del futuro de la vida en la tierra, caracterizado por el colapso de los ecosistemas, la extinción de (1)especies y los peligros climáticos como olas de calor e inundaciones. Todos ellos están vinculados a problemas de salud física y mental, con consecuencias directas e indirectas de aumento de la morbilidad y mortalidad. Para evitar estos efectos catastrócos para la salud en todas las regiones del mundo, existe un amplio acuerdo, como argumentaron 231 revistas de salud juntas en 2021, en que el aumento de la temperatura global debe limitarse a menos de 1,5 °C en comparación con los niveles preindustriales

Infodemics and infodemiology: a short history, a long future / Las infodemias y la infodemiología: una historia corta, un largo futuro / Infodemias e infodemiologia: uma breve história, um longo futuro

ABSTRACT An "infodemic" is defined as "an overabundance of information - some accurate and some not - occurring during an epidemic". This paper describes the characteristics of an infodemic, which combines an inordinately high volume of information (leading to problems relating to locating the information, storage capacity, ensuring quality, visibility and validity) and rapid output (making it hard to assess its value, manage the gatekeeping process, apply results, track its history, and leading to a waste of effort). This is bound up with the collateral growth of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. Solutions to the problems posed by an infodemic will be sought in improved technology and changed social and regulatory frameworks. One solution could be a new trusted top-level domain for health information. The World Health Organization has so far made two unsuccessful attempts to create such a domain, but it is suggested this could be attempted again, in the light of the COVID-19 infodemic experience. The vital role of reliable information in public health should also be explicitly recognized in the Sustainable Development Goals, with explicit targets. All countries should develop knowledge preparedness plans for future emergencies.

RESUMEN Una infodemia se define como 'una sobreabundancia de información —que puede ser correcta o no— durante una epidemia'. En este artículo se describen las características de una infodemia, en la cual se combina un volumen de información desmesuradamente alto (que genera problemas que guardan relación con la búsqueda, la capacidad de almacenamiento, la calidad, la visibilidad y la validez de la información) y la producción acelerada de información (que hace difícil estimar su valor, gestionar el proceso de control, aplicar resultados y rastrear el historial, y además conduce al desperdicio de esfuerzos). Esto está vinculado con el crecimiento colateral de información errónea, la desinformación y la información malintencionada. Se exploran soluciones para los problemas ocasionados por una infodemia mediante tecnologías más avanzadas y cambios en los marcos sociales y regulatorios. Una solución podría ser un dominio de nivel superior nuevo y fidedigno para la información en materia de salud. Hasta el presente, la Organización Mundial de la Salud ha llevado a cabo dos intentos infructuosos de crear dicho dominio, pero se recomienda volver a intentarlo, considerando la experiencia con la infodemia de la COVID-19. Además, el papel clave que desempeña la información fiable en la salud pública debe reconocerse explícitamente en los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, estableciendo metas explícitas. Todos los países deben elaborar planes de preparación para la gestión del conocimiento con miras a emergencias futuras.

RESUMO Infodemia é definida como "um excesso de informações - algumas exatas e outras não - que ocorre em uma epidemia". Este trabalho descreve as características de uma infodemia, que combina um volume extraordinariamente grande de informação (levando a problemas relacionados à localização, capacidade de armazenamento e garantia da qualidade, visibilidade e validade da informação) com produção acelerada (o que dificulta avaliar seu valor, gerenciar o processo de seleção de informação, aplicar resultados e rastrear seu histórico, resultando em um esforço em vão). Este fenômeno está atrelado ao crescimento colateral de informações falsas, desinformação e desinformação maliciosa. A busca de soluções aos problemas decorrentes de uma infodemia deve estar no aprimoramento da tecnologia e na modificação das estruturas regulatória e social. Uma solução seria criar um domínio de nível superior com credibilidade para informação em saúde. A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) fez até o presente duas tentativas infrutíferas para criar tal domínio. Porém, se recomenda que uma nova tentativa seja feita em vista da experiência adquirida com a infodemia de COVID-19. O papel vital da informação confiável em saúde pública também deve ser expressamente reconhecido nos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, com metas explícitas. Todos os países devem elaborar planos de preparação em conhecimento para futuras emergências.

Research ethics policies and practices in health research institutions in sub-saharan African sountries: results of a questionnaire-based survey

Objective To describe the state of research ethics policies and practices in health research institutions in sub-Saharan African countries. Design A structured questionnaire was used to solicit information on research ethics from health research institutions. Setting Forty-two sub-Saharan African countries. Participants Key informants from the health research institutions. Main outcome measures Existence of institutional ethics review policies and mechanisms. Results About half (51) of respondent institutions reported having policies on research ethics and 58 had written policies requiring that researchers obtain informed consent of research participants. About one-third of respondent institutions (34) had established ethics review committees; 42 required that studies went through ethics review committees and 46 had linkages with national or regional ethics organisations. Regarding operating procedures for ethics review committees; 53 had adopted standard operating procedures. Less than one-quarter of respondent institutions reported having policies in place to monitor ongoing research. Of the institutions that monitored ongoing research; 34 did an annual ethical review and 74 required a periodic written report. Only 36 provided any type of ethics training for staff; including those conducting health research and those who were not members of the ethics review committee. Conclusions There are substantial gaps in the capacity of health research institutions in the WHO African Region to undertake ethical review of studies before; during and after studies conducted. There is a need to strengthen such capacity in order to ensure the well-being of individuals enrolled in studies and that of communities that host these studies

Surveying the knowledge landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa: Methodology

Objective To describe in detail the methods followed in each of the qualitative and quantitative surveys of national health information; research and knowledge systems and research institutions. Design Cross-sectional surveys. Setting National health information and research systems; and 847 health research institutions in 42 countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. Participants Key informants from health research institutions; ministries of health and statistical offices. Main outcome measures Stewardship; financing; ethics; human and material resources and output of health information and research systems. Results Key informants were used to collect data to assess national research systems in 44 countries in the Region. The same method was followed in assessing national information systems in 17 countries and knowledge systems for health in 44 countries. These assessments included a detailed review of the state of data sources in the Region and their effect on measuring progress on the health-related Millennium Development Goals. A concurrent survey employed a structured questionnaire (the WHO Health Research Systems Analysis Questionnaire) to assess the capacity of 847 health research institutions in 42 countries. Stewardship; financing; ethics; human and material resources and research output were assessed. Conclusions The logistics and resources involved in surveying the knowledge landscape in the 42 countries were substantial. However; the investment was worthwhile as the results of the surveys can be used to inform policy-making and decision-making; as well as to establish a regional database of national health information; research and knowledge systems

Resources, indicators, data management, dissemination and use in health information systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: results of a questionnaire-based survey

OBJECTIVE:To describe the status of health information systems in 14 sub-Saharan African countries of the World Health Organization African Region.DESIGN:A questionnaire-based survey.SETTING:Fourteen sub-Saharan African countries of the African Region.PARTICIPANTS:Key informants in the ministries of health, national statistics offices, health programmes, donors and technical agencies.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:State of resources, indicators, data sources, data management, information products, dissemination and use of health information.RESULTS:The highest average score was in the identification and harmonisation of indicators (73%), reflecting successful efforts to identify priority indicators and reach international consensus on indicators for several diseases. This was followed by information products (63%), which indicated the availability of accurate and reliable data. The lowest score (41%) was in data management, the ability to collect, store, analyse and distribute data, followed by resources - policy and planning, human and financial resources, and infrastructure (53%). Data sources (e.g. censuses, surveys) were on average inadequate with a score of 56%. The average score for dissemination and use of health information was 57%, which indicated limited or inadequate use of data for advocacy, planning and decision-making. CONCLUSIONS:National health information systems are weak in the surveyed countries and much more needs to be done to improve the quality and relevance of data, and their management, sharing and use for policy-making and decision-making

Health information systems in Africa: descriptive analysis of data sources, information products and health statistics

Objective To identify key data sources of health information and describe their availability in countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. Methods An analytical review on the availability and quality of health information data sources in countries; from experience; observations; literature and contributions from countries. Setting Forty-six Member States of the WHO African Region. Participants No participants. Main outcome measures The state of data sources; including censuses; surveys; vital registration and health care facility-based sources. Results In almost all countries of the Region; there is a heavy reliance on household surveys for most indicators; with more than 121 household surveys having been conducted in the Region since 2000. Few countries have civil registration systems that permit adequate and regular tracking of mortality and causes of death. Demographic surveillance sites function in several countries; but the data generated are not integrated into the national health information system because of concerns about representativeness. Health management information systems generate considerable data; but the information is rarely used because of concerns about bias; quality and timeliness. To date; 43 countries in the Region have initiated Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response. Conclusions A multitude of data sources are used to track progress towards health-related goals in the Region; with heavy reliance on household surveys for most indicators. Countries need to develop comprehensive national plans for health information that address the full range of data needs and data sources and that include provision for building national capacities for data generation; analysis; dissemination and use

Expenditures on health research in sub-Saharan African countries: results of a questionnaire-based survey

Objective To estimate the sources of funds for health research (revenue) and the uses of these funds (expenditure). Design A structured questionnaire was used to solicit financial information from health research institutions. Setting Forty-two sub-Saharan African countries. Participants Key informants in 847 health research institutions in the 42 sub-Saharan African countries. Main outcome measures Expenditure on health research by institutions; funders and subject areas. Results An estimated total of US$ 302 million was spent on health research by institutions that responded to the survey in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region for the biennium 2005-2006. The most notable funders for health research activities were external funding; ministries of health; other government ministries; own funds and non-profit institutions. Most types of health research performers spent significant portions of their resources on in-house research; with medical schools spending 82 and government agencies 62. Hospitals spent 38 of their resources on management; and other institutions (universities; firms; etc.) spent 87 of their resources on capital investment. Research on human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis and malaria accounted for 30 of funds; followed by research on other communicable diseases and maternal; perinatal and nutritional conditions (23). Conclusions Research on major health problems of the Region; such as communicable diseases; accounts for most of the research expenditures. However; the total expenditure is very low compared with other WHO regions

Research output of health research institutions and its use in 42 Sub-Saharan African countries: results of a questionnaire-based survey

OBJECTIVE:To describe and analyse research output from surveyed national health research institutions in Africa.DESIGN: The survey used a structured questionnaire to solicit information from 847 health research institutions in 42 countries of the World Health Organization African Region.SETTING:Eight hundred and forty-seven health research institutions in 42 sub-Saharan African countries.PARTICIPANTS: Key informants from the health research institutions.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Volume, type and medium of publications, and distribution of research outputs.RESULTS:Books or chapters for books accounted for the highest number of information products published (on average 16.7 per respondent institution), followed by patents registered in country (8.2), discussion or working papers (6.5) and conference proceedings (6.4). Publication in a peer-reviewed journal constituted only a minor part of research output (on average about 1 paper per institution). Radio and TV broadcasts on health research accounted for the highest number of products issued by institution staff (on average 5.5 per institution), followed by peer-reviewed journals indexed internationally (3.8) or nationally (3.1). There were, on average, 1.5 press releases, 1.5 newspaper or magazine articles, and 1.4 policy briefs per institution. Over half of respondent institutions (52%) developed briefs and summaries of articles to share with their target audiences, 43% developed briefs for possible actions and 37% provided articles and reports upon request. Only a small proportion of information products produced were available in institutional databases.CONCLUSIONS:The research output of health research institutions in the Region is significant, but more effort is needed to strengthen research capacity, including human and financial resources

Human resources in health research institutions in sub-Saharan African countries: results of a questionnaire-based survey

Objective To describe the current status of institutional facilities and the supporting research infrastructure of surveyed health research institutions in Africa; including information on communication technologies and connectivity; library resources; and laboratory operations and resources. Design A structured questionnaire was used to solicit information on institutional facilities at health research institutions. Setting Health research institutions in 42 sub-Saharan African countries. Participants Key informants from 847 health research institutions. Main outcome measures The availability of laboratory; information and communication; and library facilities in health research institutions. Results Less than half of the respondent health research institutions had computer laboratories (49); network computers (50) and information technology support (38). More than two-thirds (67) had a library. Electronic subscriptions to international journals were observed to be very low; with an average of three subscriptions per institution. Almost two-thirds of the surveyed institutions (69) reported having laboratories; about half of which (55) were accredited nationally. Linkages and research collaborations were generally weak; particularly those with other laboratories in the Region. Challenges included financial and human resource constraints and the inability to communicate effectively with partners. Conclusions Health research institutions in the Region have insufficient access to essential facilities such as laboratories; libraries; computers and the Internet to generate; access and share information