Research on the collaborative evolution process of information in public health emergencies based on complex adaptive system theory and social network analysis: a case study of the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: This review aimed to elucidate the significance of information collaboration in the prevention and control of public health emergencies, and its evolutionary pathway guided by the theory of complex adaptive systems. METHODS: The study employed time-slicing techniques and social network analysis to translate the dynamic evolution of information collaboration into a stage-based static representation. Data were collected from January to April 2020, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic. Python was used to amass data from diverse sources including government portals, public commentary, social organizations, market updates, and healthcare institutions. Post data collection, the structures, collaboration objectives, and participating entities within each time slice were explored using social network analysis. RESULTS: The findings suggest that the law of evolution for information collaboration in public health emergencies primarily starts with small-scale collaboration, grows to full-scale in the middle phase, and then reverts to small-scale in the final phase. The network’s complexity increases initially and then gradually decreases, mirroring changes in collaboration tasks, objectives, and strategies. DISCUSSION: The dynamic pattern of information collaboration highlighted in this study offers valuable insights for enhancing emergency management capabilities. Recognizing the evolving nature of information collaboration can significantly improve information processing efficiency during public health crises.