--- title: "Lessons from the novel coronavirus disease pandemic | Sutter Health" description: "Advocating for a learning health network that promotes collaboration between health systems, community-based organizatons, and government agencies" url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/lessons-from-the-novel-coronavirus-disease-pandemic-1055312887" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Lessons from the novel coronavirus disease pandemic # The learning health system in crisis: lessons from the novel coronavirus disease pandemic Robert J Romanelli, Kristen M J Azar, Sylvia Sudat, Dorothy Hung, Dominick L Frosch, & Alice R Pressman _Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2020.10.004. Online ahead of print_ 2020-10-29 ## Abstract The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the gravest public-health crisis that the United States has seen in more than a century. Healthcare delivery systems are the focal point for interfacing with COVID-19; however, many were and remain unprepared for this or similar outbreaks. In this paper, we describe the Learning Health System (LHS) as an ideal organizing principle to inform an evidence-based response to public-health emergencies like COVID-19. We further describe barriers and challenges to the realization of the LHS and propose a call to action for a substantial investment in the LHS, with a focus on public health. Specifically, we advocate for a Learning Health Network that promotes collaboration between health systems, community-based organizations, and government agencies, especially during public health emergencies. We have approached this commentary through the unique lens of researchers embedded within a large, integrated healthcare delivery system, with direct experience working with clinical and operational units in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [PubMed abstract](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33163894/) ![Kristen M J Azar, RN, MSN, MPH](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/rFmyR1kiX8JzE5-XNwup0gVC1GRaVTlH7oSDlG0Tr5A/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Kristen M J Azar, RN, MSN, MPH Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/kristen-m-j-azar-rn-msn-mph-1049680985) ![Sylvia Sudat, Ph.D.](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/2AHRaDJwevdbwzC2ecrwY3nYIxbiqxd9NbpxBlI8Kpk/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Sylvia Sudat, Ph.D. Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/sylvia-sudat-phd-1049681027) ## Research topics - [COVID-19](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22COVID-19%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Racial and sociodemographic predictors of COVID-19 compared with influenza, appendicitis, and all-cause hospitalization: retrospective cohort analysis](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/racial-predictors-covid19-compared-all-cause-hospitalization-1055312873) Ethnicity and Health 2023 Mar 12 - Publication ### [Disparities among racially/ethnically marginalized groups in the COVID-19 pandemic persist regardless of statewide shelter-in-place policies: an analysis from northern california](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/disparities-among-marginalized-groups-in-covid-19-pandemic-1055312827) Kristen M J Azar, Stephen H Lockhart, Zijun Shen, Robert Romanelli, Stephanie Brown, Kelly Smits, Alice R Pressman Am J Epidemiol: kwab191. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwab191. Online ahead of print. 2021 Jul 02 - Publication ### [Measuring and promoting SARS-CoV-2 vaccine equity: development of a COVID-19 vaccine equity index](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/measuring-promoting-sars-cov-2-vaccine-equity-1055312863) Alice R Pressman, Stephen H Lockhart, Zijun Shen, Kristen M J Azar Health Equity.;5(1):476-483. doi: 10.1089/heq.2021.0047. eCollection 2021. 2021 Jul 13 - Publication ### [Unreported SARS-CoV-2 Home Testing and Test Positivity](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/unreported-sars-cov-2-home-testing-test-positivity-1055312922) JAMA Network Open 2023 Jan 23 - Publication ### [Duration of Behavioral Policy Interventions and Incidence of COVID-19 by Social Vulnerability of US Counties, April-December 2020](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/duration-of-behavioral-policy-interventions-covid-19-1055312817) Public Health Reports 2021 Oct 06 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/lessons-from-the-novel-coronavirus-disease-pandemic-1055312887#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Lessons from the novel coronavirus disease pandemic"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/lessons-from-the-novel-coronavirus-disease-pandemic-1055312887#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"The learning health system in crisis: lessons from the novel coronavirus disease pandemic","headline":"Lessons from the novel coronavirus disease pandemic","abstract":"The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the gravest public-health crisis that the United States has seen in more than a century. 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