Patient and public understanding of antimicrobial resistance: a systematic review and meta-ethnography.

Wojcik, Gosha; Afseth, Janyne; Fagan, Ross; Thomson, Fiona; Ring, Nicola

Abstract

To further develop an understanding of laypeople's (adult patients and public) beliefs and attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by developing a conceptual model derived from identifying and synthesizing primary qualitative research. A systematic search of 12 electronic databases, including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science to identify qualitative primary studies exploring patient and public understanding of AMR published between 2012 and 2022. Included studies were quality appraised and synthesized using Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnographic approach and reported using eMERGe guidance. Thirteen papers reporting 12 qualitative studies were synthesized. Studies reported data from 466 participants aged 18–90 years. Five themes were identified from these original studies: the responsible patient; when words become meaningless; patient–prescriber relationship; past experience drives antibiotic use; and reframing public perception. These themes supported the development of a conceptual model that illustrates the tension between two different assumptions, that is, how can antibiotics be used for the collective good whilst balancing the immediate needs of individual patients. Findings suggest that AMR is a distinct ethical issue and should not be viewed purely as a prescribing problem. The meta-ethnography-generated conceptual model illustrates many factors affecting the public's perception of AMR. These include laypeople's own knowledge, beliefs and attitudes around antibiotic use, the relationship with the healthcare provider and the wider context, including the overwhelming influence of the media and public health campaigns. Future research is needed to explore effective health messaging strategies to increase laypeople's baseline awareness of AMR as a public threat.

Citation

WOJCIK, G., AFSETH, J., FAGAN, R., THOMSON, F. and RING, N. 2024. Patient and public understanding of antimicrobial resistance: a systematic review and meta-ethnography. JAC-antimicrobial resistance [online], 6(4), article dlae117. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlae117

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jul 5, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 7, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 13, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 13, 2024
• Journal: JAC-antimicrobial resistance
• Electronic ISSN: 2632-1823
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: dlae117
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlae117
• Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Prescribing; Problems; Public health
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2433712
• Additional Information: This article has been published with separate supporting information. This supporting information has been incorporated into a single file on this repository and can be found at the end of the file associated with this output.