What and how can we learn from complex global problems for antimicrobial resistance policy?: A comparative study combining historical and foresight approaches

E Pitchforth; G-C Ali; E Smith; J Taylor; T Rayner; C Lichten; C d'Angelo; C Gradmann; V Berridge; A Bertscher; K Allel

doi:10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019

What and how can we learn from complex global problems for antimicrobial resistance policy? A comparative study combining historical and foresight approaches

E Pitchforth, G-C Ali, E Smith, J Taylor, T Rayner, C Lichten, C d'Angelo, C Gradmann, V Berridge, A Bertscher, K Allel

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (SciVal)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To (i) develop a methodology for using historical and comparative perspectives to inform policy and (ii) provide evidence for antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) policymaking by drawing on lessons from climate change and tobacco control.

METHODS: Using a qualitative design, we systematically examined two other complex, large-scale policy issues - climate change and tobacco control - to identify what relevance to AMR can be learned from how these issues have evolved over time. During 2018-2020, we employed a five-stage approach to conducting an exploratory study involving a review of secondary historical analysis, identification of drivers of change, prioritisation of the identified drivers, scenario generation and elicitation of possible policy responses. We sought to disrupt more 'traditional' policy and research spaces to create an alternative where stimulated by historical analysis, academics (including historians) and policymakers could come together to challenge norms and practices, and think creatively about AMR policy design.

RESULTS: An iterative process of analysis and engagement resulted in lessons for AMR policy concerning persistent evidence gaps and uncertainty, the need for cross-sector involvement and a collective effort through global governance, the demand for new interventions through more investment in research and innovation, and recognising the dynamic relationship between social change and policy to change people's attitudes and behaviours are crucial towards tackling AMR.

CONCLUSIONS: We draw upon new methodological lessons around the pragmatism of futures- and policy-oriented approaches incorporating robust historical and comparative analysis. The study demonstrates proof of concept and offers a reproducible method to advance further methodology, including transferrable policies that could tackle health problems, such as AMR.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	110-121
Number of pages	12
Journal	Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance
Volume	35
Early online date	13 Sept 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019
Publication status	Published - 31 Dec 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding: This research was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council grant reference AH/R002118/1.

Funding

Funding: This research was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council grant reference AH/R002118/1 . Funding: This research was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council grant reference AH/R002118/1. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interests. Ethical approval: University of Exeter (Reference: Mar19/D/203). All participants were adults with the capacity to consent. Written consent was obtained from workshop participants and interviewees. Acknowledgements: All authors attest they meet the ICMJE criteria for authorship and have reviewed and approved the final article. The authors are grateful to all participants for volunteering time and expertise as part of interviews and workshops.

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistance
Climate change
Policy challenges
Policy design
Tobacco control

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Microbiology
Immunology and Allergy
Immunology
Microbiology (medical)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019Licence: CC BY

Cite this

Pitchforth, E., Ali, G.-C., Smith, E., Taylor, J., Rayner, T., Lichten, C., d'Angelo, C., Gradmann, C., Berridge, V., Bertscher, A., & Allel, K. (2023). What and how can we learn from complex global problems for antimicrobial resistance policy? A comparative study combining historical and foresight approaches. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance, 35, 110-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019

Pitchforth, E, Ali, G-C, Smith, E, Taylor, J, Rayner, T, Lichten, C, d'Angelo, C, Gradmann, C, Berridge, V, Bertscher, A & Allel, K 2023, 'What and how can we learn from complex global problems for antimicrobial resistance policy? A comparative study combining historical and foresight approaches', Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance, vol. 35, pp. 110-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019

@article{8df5809afd354bdf904b58a8d6df6b04,

title = "What and how can we learn from complex global problems for antimicrobial resistance policy?: A comparative study combining historical and foresight approaches",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: To (i) develop a methodology for using historical and comparative perspectives to inform policy and (ii) provide evidence for antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) policymaking by drawing on lessons from climate change and tobacco control.METHODS: Using a qualitative design, we systematically examined two other complex, large-scale policy issues - climate change and tobacco control - to identify what relevance to AMR can be learned from how these issues have evolved over time. During 2018-2020, we employed a five-stage approach to conducting an exploratory study involving a review of secondary historical analysis, identification of drivers of change, prioritisation of the identified drivers, scenario generation and elicitation of possible policy responses. We sought to disrupt more 'traditional' policy and research spaces to create an alternative where stimulated by historical analysis, academics (including historians) and policymakers could come together to challenge norms and practices, and think creatively about AMR policy design.RESULTS: An iterative process of analysis and engagement resulted in lessons for AMR policy concerning persistent evidence gaps and uncertainty, the need for cross-sector involvement and a collective effort through global governance, the demand for new interventions through more investment in research and innovation, and recognising the dynamic relationship between social change and policy to change people's attitudes and behaviours are crucial towards tackling AMR.CONCLUSIONS: We draw upon new methodological lessons around the pragmatism of futures- and policy-oriented approaches incorporating robust historical and comparative analysis. The study demonstrates proof of concept and offers a reproducible method to advance further methodology, including transferrable policies that could tackle health problems, such as AMR.",

keywords = "Antimicrobial resistance, Climate change, Policy challenges, Policy design, Tobacco control",

author = "E Pitchforth and G-C Ali and E Smith and J Taylor and T Rayner and C Lichten and C d'Angelo and C Gradmann and V Berridge and A Bertscher and K Allel",

note = "Funding: This research was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council grant reference AH/R002118/1. ",

year = "2023",

month = dec,

day = "31",

doi = "10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019",

language = "English",

volume = "35",

pages = "110--121",

journal = "Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance",

issn = "2213-7165",

publisher = "Elsevier",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - What and how can we learn from complex global problems for antimicrobial resistance policy?

T2 - A comparative study combining historical and foresight approaches

AU - Pitchforth, E

AU - Ali, G-C

AU - Smith, E

AU - Taylor, J

AU - Rayner, T

AU - Lichten, C

AU - d'Angelo, C

AU - Gradmann, C

AU - Berridge, V

AU - Bertscher, A

AU - Allel, K

N1 - Funding: This research was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council grant reference AH/R002118/1.

PY - 2023/12/31

Y1 - 2023/12/31

N2 - OBJECTIVES: To (i) develop a methodology for using historical and comparative perspectives to inform policy and (ii) provide evidence for antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) policymaking by drawing on lessons from climate change and tobacco control.METHODS: Using a qualitative design, we systematically examined two other complex, large-scale policy issues - climate change and tobacco control - to identify what relevance to AMR can be learned from how these issues have evolved over time. During 2018-2020, we employed a five-stage approach to conducting an exploratory study involving a review of secondary historical analysis, identification of drivers of change, prioritisation of the identified drivers, scenario generation and elicitation of possible policy responses. We sought to disrupt more 'traditional' policy and research spaces to create an alternative where stimulated by historical analysis, academics (including historians) and policymakers could come together to challenge norms and practices, and think creatively about AMR policy design.RESULTS: An iterative process of analysis and engagement resulted in lessons for AMR policy concerning persistent evidence gaps and uncertainty, the need for cross-sector involvement and a collective effort through global governance, the demand for new interventions through more investment in research and innovation, and recognising the dynamic relationship between social change and policy to change people's attitudes and behaviours are crucial towards tackling AMR.CONCLUSIONS: We draw upon new methodological lessons around the pragmatism of futures- and policy-oriented approaches incorporating robust historical and comparative analysis. The study demonstrates proof of concept and offers a reproducible method to advance further methodology, including transferrable policies that could tackle health problems, such as AMR.

AB - OBJECTIVES: To (i) develop a methodology for using historical and comparative perspectives to inform policy and (ii) provide evidence for antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) policymaking by drawing on lessons from climate change and tobacco control.METHODS: Using a qualitative design, we systematically examined two other complex, large-scale policy issues - climate change and tobacco control - to identify what relevance to AMR can be learned from how these issues have evolved over time. During 2018-2020, we employed a five-stage approach to conducting an exploratory study involving a review of secondary historical analysis, identification of drivers of change, prioritisation of the identified drivers, scenario generation and elicitation of possible policy responses. We sought to disrupt more 'traditional' policy and research spaces to create an alternative where stimulated by historical analysis, academics (including historians) and policymakers could come together to challenge norms and practices, and think creatively about AMR policy design.RESULTS: An iterative process of analysis and engagement resulted in lessons for AMR policy concerning persistent evidence gaps and uncertainty, the need for cross-sector involvement and a collective effort through global governance, the demand for new interventions through more investment in research and innovation, and recognising the dynamic relationship between social change and policy to change people's attitudes and behaviours are crucial towards tackling AMR.CONCLUSIONS: We draw upon new methodological lessons around the pragmatism of futures- and policy-oriented approaches incorporating robust historical and comparative analysis. The study demonstrates proof of concept and offers a reproducible method to advance further methodology, including transferrable policies that could tackle health problems, such as AMR.

KW - Antimicrobial resistance

KW - Climate change

KW - Policy challenges

KW - Policy design

KW - Tobacco control

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85172993444&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019

DO - 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.08.019

M3 - Article

C2 - 37714379

SN - 2213-7165

VL - 35

SP - 110

EP - 121

JO - Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance

JF - Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance

ER -