The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them
Abstract Background COVID-19 has led to the adoption of unprecedented mitigation measures which could trigger many unintended consequences. These unintended consequences can be far-reaching and just as important as the intended ones. The World Health Organization identified the assessment of uninten...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Research Methodology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01200-x |
| _version_ | 1818413207938662400 |
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| author | Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay Idriss Ali Gali Gali Valéry Ridde |
| author_facet | Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay Idriss Ali Gali Gali Valéry Ridde |
| author_sort | Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background COVID-19 has led to the adoption of unprecedented mitigation measures which could trigger many unintended consequences. These unintended consequences can be far-reaching and just as important as the intended ones. The World Health Organization identified the assessment of unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures as a top priority. Thus far, however, their systematic assessment has been neglected due to the inattention of researchers as well as the lack of training and practical tools. Main text Over six years our team has gained extensive experience conducting research on the unintended consequences of complex health interventions. Through a reflexive process, we developed insights that can be useful for researchers in this area. Our analysis is based on key literature and lessons learned reflexively in conducting multi-site and multi-method studies on unintended consequences. Here we present practical guidance for researchers wishing to assess the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures. To ensure resource allocation, protocols should include research questions regarding unintended consequences at the outset. Social science theories and frameworks are available to help assess unintended consequences. To determine which changes are unintended, researchers must first understand the intervention theory. To facilitate data collection, researchers can begin by forecasting potential unintended consequences through literature reviews and discussions with stakeholders. Including desirable and neutral unintended consequences in the scope of study can help minimize the negative bias reported in the literature. Exploratory methods can be powerful tools to capture data on the unintended consequences that were unforeseen by researchers. We recommend researchers cast a wide net by inquiring about different aspects of the mitigation measures. Some unintended consequences may only be observable in subsequent years, so longitudinal approaches may be useful. An equity lens is necessary to assess how mitigation measures may unintentionally increase disparities. Finally, stakeholders can help validate the classification of consequences as intended or unintended. Conclusion Studying the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures is not only possible but also necessary to assess their overall value. The practical guidance presented will help program planners and evaluators gain a more comprehensive understanding of unintended consequences to refine mitigation measures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:59:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-755b5a05e2f4420e835181c9c544f559 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2288 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:59:32Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Research Methodology |
| spelling | doaj.art-755b5a05e2f4420e835181c9c544f5592022-12-21T23:04:47ZengBMCBMC Medical Research Methodology1471-22882021-02-0121111710.1186/s12874-020-01200-xThe unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating themAnne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay0Idriss Ali Gali Gali1Valéry Ridde2School of Public Health, Université de MontréalBureau d’Appui Santé et EnvironnementIRD (French Institute for Research on Sustainable Development), CEPED, Université de ParisAbstract Background COVID-19 has led to the adoption of unprecedented mitigation measures which could trigger many unintended consequences. These unintended consequences can be far-reaching and just as important as the intended ones. The World Health Organization identified the assessment of unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures as a top priority. Thus far, however, their systematic assessment has been neglected due to the inattention of researchers as well as the lack of training and practical tools. Main text Over six years our team has gained extensive experience conducting research on the unintended consequences of complex health interventions. Through a reflexive process, we developed insights that can be useful for researchers in this area. Our analysis is based on key literature and lessons learned reflexively in conducting multi-site and multi-method studies on unintended consequences. Here we present practical guidance for researchers wishing to assess the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures. To ensure resource allocation, protocols should include research questions regarding unintended consequences at the outset. Social science theories and frameworks are available to help assess unintended consequences. To determine which changes are unintended, researchers must first understand the intervention theory. To facilitate data collection, researchers can begin by forecasting potential unintended consequences through literature reviews and discussions with stakeholders. Including desirable and neutral unintended consequences in the scope of study can help minimize the negative bias reported in the literature. Exploratory methods can be powerful tools to capture data on the unintended consequences that were unforeseen by researchers. We recommend researchers cast a wide net by inquiring about different aspects of the mitigation measures. Some unintended consequences may only be observable in subsequent years, so longitudinal approaches may be useful. An equity lens is necessary to assess how mitigation measures may unintentionally increase disparities. Finally, stakeholders can help validate the classification of consequences as intended or unintended. Conclusion Studying the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures is not only possible but also necessary to assess their overall value. The practical guidance presented will help program planners and evaluators gain a more comprehensive understanding of unintended consequences to refine mitigation measures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01200-xUnintended consequencesMitigation measuresCOVID-19Pandemic |
| spellingShingle | Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay Idriss Ali Gali Gali Valéry Ridde The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them BMC Medical Research Methodology Unintended consequences Mitigation measures COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title | The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them |
| title_full | The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them |
| title_fullStr | The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them |
| title_full_unstemmed | The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them |
| title_short | The unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures matter: practical guidance for investigating them |
| title_sort | unintended consequences of covid 19 mitigation measures matter practical guidance for investigating them |
| topic | Unintended consequences Mitigation measures COVID-19 Pandemic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01200-x |
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