Strategies for Collaboration in the Interdisciplinary Field of Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

Abstract

The integration of the veterinary, medical and environmental sciences necessary to predict, prevent or respond to emerging zoonotic diseases requires effective collaboration and exchange of knowledge across these disciplines. There has been no research into how to connect and integrate these professions in the pursuit of a common task. We conducted a literature search looking at the experiences and wisdom resulting from collaborations built in health partnerships, health research knowledge transfer and exchange, business knowledge management and systems design engineering to identify key attributes of successful interdisciplinary (ID) collaboration. This was followed by a workshop with 16 experts experienced in ID collaboration including physicians, veterinarians and biologists from private practice, academia and government agencies. The workshop participants shared their perspectives on the facilitators and barriers to ID collaboration. Our results found that the elements that can support or impede ID collaboration can be categorized as follows: the characteristics of the people, the degree to which the task is a shared goal, the policies, practices and resources of the workplace, how information technology is used and the evaluation of the results. Above all, personal relationships built on trust and respect are needed to best assemble the disciplinary strength of the professions. The challenge of meeting collaborators outside the boundaries of one's discipline or jurisdiction may be met by an independent third party, an ID knowledge broker. The broker would know where the knowledge could be found, would facilitate introductions and would help to build effective ID teams.

Multi-criteria decision analysis as an innovative approach to managing zoonoses: results from a study on Lyme disease in Canada

“…Public health experts had no experience with MCDA methods, and the learning process demanded time and resources. This is not surprising and prolonged timelines have been observed in other multidisciplinary teams [7]. As such, MCDA approaches may be best suited for strategic public health planning rather than for daily decisions and emergency situations, unless MCDA models are already developed.…”

One Health: The Hong Kong Experience with Avian Influenza

“…Attempts to contain HPAI H5N1 influenza (and other infectious disease outbreaks) in Hong Kong over the past 15 years have demonstrated the importance of adopting a One Health approach (Table 1) (Anholdt et al 2012).…”

“…The task force was subsequently replaced by a Scientific Committee on Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases that continues to provide advice to the Department of Health on avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases. Thus, many of the factors required for cooperation toward a ''One Health'' approach (Anholdt et al 2012) were in place in Hong Kong, including working toward a common goal.…”

A research capacity strengthening project for infectious diseases in Honduras: experience and lessons learned

“…Third, since MEIZ integrates the study of biomedical and social determinants of infectious diseases, the program has been helpful in expanding the School of Microbiology's traditional etiology-based, disciplinary model to infectious disease teaching and research (43). Fourth, through mentoring sessions, we made every effort to demystify research, stimulate higher order thinking, and promote self-efficacy among students.…”

“…Achieving multidisciplinarity is not without challenges (47), but in the particular case of infectious disease, a collaborative approach to research and intervention is imperative if we are to reduce their burden to human and animal populations (43). As MEIZ continues to mature and the critical mass of researchers grows, we anticipate a diversification of research topics and collaboration across disciplines.…”