Academic Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Dr Derek Cocker, is an infectious disease researcher focusing on innovative strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthen healthcare resilience. His expertise spans system wide approaches that integrate novel technologies to minimise healthcare-associated infections and enhance patient pathways.
He spoke to us recently about how he credits publishing in The BMJ for amplifying his research’s impact, facilitating global conversations, and creating collaborations. BMJ Group’s flagship journal’s credibility and promotional efforts enabled his findings to influence diverse healthcare systems, advancing the adoption of holistic, prevention focused strategies worldwide.
“The network meetings, events, and subsequent publicity from BMJ Group really springboarded conversations – both internally and with global partners – about adapting and implementing our findings. They helped get the science noticed by those we want to collaborate with.”
Dr Derek Cocker
Academic Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases and Global Health
Winter preparations and flu vaccination: a global perspective on resilience
As the chill of winter sets in, healthcare systems worldwide, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), prepare for the surge of seasonal illnesses like influenza and respiratory infections. These challenges, compounded by the persistent threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), strain hospital resources, staff, and patient pathways. To navigate these pressures, healthcare leaders focus on resilience-building strategies, with flu vaccination programmes taking centre stage.
“While often seen as an individual health choice, flu vaccination is vital in safeguarding healthcare systems. By reducing hospital admissions and easing the demand for critical care beds, vaccination ensures that already stretched resources can serve those most in need. Globally, where healthcare systems are often more fragile, early prevention through vaccination is not just beneficial – it’s essential for sustaining the health infrastructure.”
Dr Cocker and colleagues’ pivotal paper – Protecting healthcare and patient pathways from infection and antimicrobial resistance – explores how system wide approaches, like enhanced infection control and vaccination, strengthen healthcare resilience. The research emphasises that prevention strategies protect individuals and entire healthcare ecosystems, offering a blueprint for mitigating seasonal pressures.
They argue that innovative whole system approaches to integrate research and novel technologies within patient pathways are needed to target antibiotic use, minimise healthcare associated infections, and adapt to novel pathogens, highlighting:
- Exposure to healthcare has a large role in the transmission of infectious diseases and the acquisition and transmission of antimicrobial resistance
- The current set-up of healthcare and complex pathways create environments that expose vulnerable populations to the greatest risks and highest levels of antibiotic pressures
- System wide approaches and analyses, using all available information, are required to protect patients and staff and maintain healthcare resilience
- Clinical trial design, predefined protocols, and regulatory processes should be optimised to generate evidence rapidly on how to tackle present and future infection threats to patients and healthcare delivery
Published as part of The BMJ Research Priorities for Future Shocks collection, the paper sparked global interest, resonating in regions like South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Middle East. At an event co hosted with the collection sponsor, the Health Foundation, international participants emphasised the paper’s international relevance, particularly its call for holistic, prevention-focused care extending beyond hospital settings.
Dr Cocker reflects on how it sparked interest from international stakeholders, showing the universal relevance of healthcare pathway resilience, particularly in regions with fragile health systems. He was approached by collaborators from the global south, who expressed their appreciation of the adaptable methodologies for their contexts.
“International partners were keen on how the work could support healthcare resilience, especially in lower-resource settings where early prevention measures could be even more impactful.”
Shaping the future of resilience research
The publication’s impact extends beyond immediate seasonal preparations. Dr Cocker’s team has expanded their focus to include novel diagnostics, vaccination strategies for at-risk populations, and operational resilience during peak periods. International collaborators have highlighted the need for tailored and contextualised approaches, driving the development of grant proposals and fostering partnerships to address global health challenges.
Publishing in The BMJ helped to elevate the research’s visibility and credibility by connecting it with key stakeholders worldwide. Events and promotional efforts surrounding the publication helped to encourage constructive conversations among clinicians, policymakers, and researchers, accelerating the translation of insights into actionable strategies.
“BMJ [Group] helped get the science noticed by those we want to collaborate with, opening doors for new research and practical applications.”
