Irrational use of antibiotics in Iran from the Perspective of Complex Adaptive Systems: redefining the challenge
Abstract Background: Irrational use of antibiotics is proving to be major concern to the health systems globally. It results in antibiotics resistance and increases health care costs. In Iran, many years of research, appreciable efforts and policy making have been of little avail and indicators still show suboptimal use of antibiotics, pointing to an urgent need for adopting an alternative approach to understanding the problem and generating new solutions. Applying the Complex Adaptive Systems theory, to explore and research in health systems and their challenges has become popular. Therefore, this study aimed to better understand the complexity of irrational use of antibiotics use in Iran and to propose potential solutions. Method: This research utilized a CAS observatory tool to qualitatively collect and analyse data. Twenty interviews and two Focus Group Discussion were conducted. The data was enriched with policy document reviews to fully understand the system. MAXQDA software was used to organize and analyze the data. Result: We could identify several diverse and heterogeneous, yet highly interdependent agents operating at different levels in the antibiotics use system in Iran. The network structure and its adaptive emergent behavior, information flow, governing rules, feedback and values of the system, and the way they interact were identified. The findings describe antibiotics use as an emergent behavior which is formed by an interplay of many factors and agents over time. Insufficient and ineffective interaction and information flow regarding antibiotics between agents were among key causes of irrational antibiotics use in Iran. Results showed that effective rules to minimize irrational use of antibiotics are missing or can be easily disobeyed. The gaps and weakness of the system which needs redesigning or modification were recognized as well. Conclusion: The study suggests re-engineering the system by implementing several system-level changes including establishing strong, timely, and effective interactions between identified stakeholders, which facilitate information flow and provision of on-time feedback, and create win-win rules in a participatory manner with stakeholders and the distributed control system.