Mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using implementation research: a development funder's approach.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Implementation Science

Background:

• The global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is escalating, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• National action plans for AMR often face implementation barriers, including resource limitations, poor coordination, and a lack of local adaptation capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the principles and application of intervention-implementation research (IIR) for combating AMR.
• To demonstrate how IIR can facilitate the development, implementation, and scale-up of context-specific AMR interventions.

Main Methods:

• Describes the theoretical foundations of implementation research (IR).
• Details the components and strategies of IIR across its three-phase continuum and four context domains.
• Utilizes real-world examples of AMR interventions to illustrate practical application.

Main Results:

• Highlights the critical need for multidisciplinary IIR to address AMR effectively.
• Emphasizes that successful AMR mitigation requires interventions tailored to local contexts, ensuring cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Intervention-implementation research provides a vital framework for overcoming barriers to AMR intervention uptake.
• IIR is essential for translating evidence-based strategies into sustainable, real-world solutions for antimicrobial resistance.