Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution

Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now regarded as one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. The complexity, urgent timeframe, and lack of clear solution to AMR have contributed to its classification as a ‘super wicked problem’. Yet knowledge surveys of the general public ha...

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Main Authors: Helen Rickard, Sam Watkin, Nicola Baldwin, Anthony De Souza, Lena Ciric, Elaine Cloutman-Green
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-12-01
Series:Infection Prevention in Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088923000471
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author Helen Rickard
Sam Watkin
Nicola Baldwin
Anthony De Souza
Lena Ciric
Elaine Cloutman-Green
author_facet Helen Rickard
Sam Watkin
Nicola Baldwin
Anthony De Souza
Lena Ciric
Elaine Cloutman-Green
author_sort Helen Rickard
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now regarded as one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. The complexity, urgent timeframe, and lack of clear solution to AMR have contributed to its classification as a ‘super wicked problem’. Yet knowledge surveys of the general public have found that they still harbour numerous misconceptions linked to both the sources and impact of AMR. This confusion is compounded by AMR being a One Health issue, and therefore a factor in not just human health but in other industries, such as farming. This can further inhibit understanding and knowledge transfer around AMR for those without a prior knowledge base.In order to address the escalating risk that AMR presents, however, it is essential to address this knowledge gap and engage with the public to support wide scale changes in behaviour and consumer choice. The WHO now requires national action plans tackling AMR to include patient and public involvement/engagement (PPI/E) to support changing the trajectory of AMR. Despite this, little detail is available as part of strategic plans on how PPI/E should be undertaken in order to aid implementation. This paper discusses a number of approaches to support the design and delivery of PPI/E in relation to AMR, including the different social behaviour models underlying successful PPI/E strategies, and key considerations linked to specific activity types. The framework produced includes features for steps from initial planning and design through to evaluation. The aim is to help improve the ability of scientists and healthcare professionals to produce high quality AMR PPI/E.
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spelling doaj.art-66a51049bb1442dd9e7b76cb8c425b7c2023-12-08T04:45:59ZengElsevierInfection Prevention in Practice2590-08892023-12-0154100314Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solutionHelen Rickard0Sam Watkin1Nicola Baldwin2Anthony De Souza3Lena Ciric4Elaine Cloutman-Green5Healthy Infrastructure Research Group, University College London, Department of Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Chadwick Building, London, UKHealthy Infrastructure Research Group, University College London, Department of Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Chadwick Building, London, UK; Nosocomial Project, London, UKNosocomial Project, London, UKGreat Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, London, UKHealthy Infrastructure Research Group, University College London, Department of Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Chadwick Building, London, UKHealthy Infrastructure Research Group, University College London, Department of Civil Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Chadwick Building, London, UK; Nosocomial Project, London, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Camelia Botnar Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, London, UK; Corresponding author. Address: Department of Microbiology, Virology and Infection Prevention Control, Level 4 Camelia Botnar Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now regarded as one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. The complexity, urgent timeframe, and lack of clear solution to AMR have contributed to its classification as a ‘super wicked problem’. Yet knowledge surveys of the general public have found that they still harbour numerous misconceptions linked to both the sources and impact of AMR. This confusion is compounded by AMR being a One Health issue, and therefore a factor in not just human health but in other industries, such as farming. This can further inhibit understanding and knowledge transfer around AMR for those without a prior knowledge base.In order to address the escalating risk that AMR presents, however, it is essential to address this knowledge gap and engage with the public to support wide scale changes in behaviour and consumer choice. The WHO now requires national action plans tackling AMR to include patient and public involvement/engagement (PPI/E) to support changing the trajectory of AMR. Despite this, little detail is available as part of strategic plans on how PPI/E should be undertaken in order to aid implementation. This paper discusses a number of approaches to support the design and delivery of PPI/E in relation to AMR, including the different social behaviour models underlying successful PPI/E strategies, and key considerations linked to specific activity types. The framework produced includes features for steps from initial planning and design through to evaluation. The aim is to help improve the ability of scientists and healthcare professionals to produce high quality AMR PPI/E.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088923000471Public engagementPatient involvementAntimicrobial resistanceOutreachBehaviour changeEducation
spellingShingle Helen Rickard
Sam Watkin
Nicola Baldwin
Anthony De Souza
Lena Ciric
Elaine Cloutman-Green
Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
Infection Prevention in Practice
Public engagement
Patient involvement
Antimicrobial resistance
Outreach
Behaviour change
Education
title Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
title_full Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
title_fullStr Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
title_full_unstemmed Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
title_short Antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem: how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
title_sort antimicrobial resistance as a super wicked problem how do we engage the public to be part of the solution
topic Public engagement
Patient involvement
Antimicrobial resistance
Outreach
Behaviour change
Education
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590088923000471
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