Implementation and utility of a training dashboard for laboratory training programs in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Africa

ABSTRACT

Introduction/ Background: The Africa CDC organized continental training to establish testing capacity in MS. Africa CDC developed and implemented a training dashboard to track all training programs and use for planning and decision making. This study describes the implementation and utility of the laboratory training dashboard in the context of COVID-19 response. Methods: Google Spreadsheets was used to keep track of the training data. A comma-separated values training data file was used to create a training dashboard in Google Data Studio, where it was broken down into metrics and dimensions that could be used in dashboard reports connected between training data and dashboard reports. Data was imported and explored in an excel file, and a dashboard data modelling was created. Using training data KPIs, graphical displays were created, and data was examined.. The reports and visualizations on the developed dashboard are automatically updated in real-time with the most recent data from the datasets. Results: The collection of training data and visualization on a dashboard proved useful for immediate generation of report. As of October 2021, a total of 15,548 laboratory personnel had been trained. Of these, 1,117 (7.7%) received hands-on and virtual training on RT-PCR, 430 (2.9%) on Biosafety and Biosecurity, 137 (0.9%) on LQMS, 78 (0.7%) on COVID- 19 Genome Sequencing, 99 (0.8%) on GeneXpert and 13,627 (87%) on Ag-RDT testing in 55 Member States. Over 50 webinar sessions with total 23,063 participants were held to build the capacity of national and subnational level staff in all countries in the Africa Region. Impact The dashboard primarily reported training data trends and disaggregated data by country, laboratory disciplines, and maps and graphs to make the data more appealing, shareable, and convertible into a report. By enhancing reporting and promoting timely decision-making, the training dashboard improved laboratory trainings in the context of COVID-19 response efforts. Conclusion: Tracking of all training programs in real time using interactive training dashboard will improve the use of data in subsequent decision making and measuring the progress during outbreak response. The dashboard reports and visualizations are shared with key stakeholders and used for workforce planning and monitoring.