Building resilient and responsive research collaborations to tackle antimicrobial resistance—Lessons learnt from India, South Africa, and UK

Abstract

Research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange are critical to global efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Different healthcare economies are faced with different challenges in implementing effective strategies to address AMR. Building effective capacity for research to inform AMR-related strategies and policies is recognised as an important contributor to success. Interdisciplinary, intersector, as well as international collaborations are needed to span global to local efforts to tackle AMR. The development of reciprocal, long-term partnerships between collaborators in high-income and in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) needs to be built on principles of capacity building. Using case studies spanning local and international research collaborations to codesign, implement, and evaluate strategies to tackle AMR, we have evaluated and build upon the ESSENCE criteria for capacity building in LMICs. The first case study describes the local codesign and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in the state of Kerala in India. The second case study describes an international research collaboration investigating AMR surgical patient pathways in India, the UK, and South Africa. We describe the steps undertaken to develop robust, agile, and flexible AMS research and implementation teams. Notably, investing in capacity building ensured that the programmes described in these case studies were sustained through the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus pandemic. Describing the strategies adopted by a local and an international collaboration to tackle AMR, we provide a model for capacity building in LMICs that can support sustainable and agile AMS programmes.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Community Pharmacists’ Perspective in Thailand: A Mixed Methods Survey Using Appreciative Inquiry Theory

“…The present results and previous studies demonstrated that the fight against AMR in community pharmacies might play within the limits of environmental work contexts to support ASU [ 25 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. The concern for most community pharmacists was the lack of available materials, resources, surveillance systems, and infrastructure-supported collaboration with other healthcare providers for providing AMR practice [ 62 ]. Some mentioned they need a national guideline of antibiotic treatment in community pharmacies with availability and that is up to date.…”

Investigating infection management and antimicrobial stewardship in surgery: a qualitative study from India and South Africa

“…When developing AMS programmes for surgical teams, the proposed framework can be applied to ensure that the key components necessary for sustainable change are addressed. This framework builds on research from high-, lowand middle-income countries [9,26,27].…”

It is complicated: Potential short- and long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on antimicrobial resistance—An expert review

“…123 These newly created infrastructures and platforms provide excellent research opportunities to study and tackle other infectious diseases including drug-resistant pathogens. 124,125 On the societal level, awareness and sensitization regarding infectious diseases and IPC has been boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 124 This awareness could reinforce the role of these disciplines within hospitals and healthcare systems, increase chances for research funding, and facilitate support from public health authorities.…”