Poor Economics – Knowledge Economy and The Existing Knowledge Gaps (Higher and Academic Education) In Healthcare; How To Overcome?

Abstract

The 2018 United Nations Development Program (UNDP) presents clearly that the lower the human development indices (HDI), the more significant the decrement in secondary and tertiary education enrolment (higher and academic). For example, tertiary education in the very high-HDI countries shows 72% enrolment, where enrolment in the medium and low HDI parts of the world is only 24% and 8% respectively. The data illustrate the impressive paucity in education, hence knowledge production. This paucity in education is predicted to result in a weak knowledge economy of available and accessible knowledge. This root cause analysis discloses a significant area of attention to narrow and bridge the existing knowledge gap. Education in these countries has been focused almost exclusively on vocational education of technical skills with limited theoretical attention (knowledge) and rudimentary attention to topics such as governance, human capacity investment, and appropriate application. Education needs the proper environment and climate at primary, secondary and tertiary education levels, resulting in an effective knowledge economy and contributing to advancing progress and improvement of quality. The healthcare system for example needs to be available and accessible to all. This environment can only be created and developed when countries establish national structures, institutional environment, and a competent leadership and management cadre. This depends on the existence of a well-educated and motivated cadre of ‘intelligentsia’, competent and responsible policymakers and governors, and creating an inviting and inspiring education climate, irrespective of the level of knowledge to be acquired.The paper provides a global situation analysis of qualified and quantified key elements of the knowledge economy, and analysis of the impact of differentials between knowledge economies of the various human development groups on national healthcare structures and patient safety as a final outcome. Additionally, it alludes to methods on how to improve on the identified gaps.