Research priorities for public health and social measures to manage epidemics: a multi-method consensus study

Background: Prioritizing research to address uncertainties about the effects of public health and social measures (PHSM) to manage epidemics and pandemics can help to ensure that research addresses important questions and future decisions are better informed. Methods We used a multi-method approach to develop a list of PHSM, identify important uncertainties about the effects of those interventions, develop priority criteria, and prioritize research questions. We developed an exhaustive list of PHSM based on a literature review and feedback from stakeholders, shortened that list based on stakeholders’ top priorities, and used a nominal group technique (NGT) and methods developed by the James Lind Alliance to identify important uncertainties about the effects of those interventions. We used thematic analysis and member checking to create a list of research questions that captured the questions posed by stakeholders. Concurrently, we developed criteria for prioritising those questions based on a literature review and feedback from stakeholders. Eighteen researchers applied those criteria to prioritise questions and we sought feedback on those priorities from stakeholders. Based on this input, our research centre, the Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research (CEIR) reached a consensus. Results The exhaustive list included 173 interventions. This was reduced to 22 interventions based on stakeholders’ top priorities. Stakeholders proposed 252 questions regarding those interventions, which we reduced to 76 questions based on a thematic analysis. Thirteen researchers used 12 criteria to prioritize questions from that list. Following feedback from stakeholders and discussion, we reached a consensus on 16 prioritized questions about the effects of PHSM. Conclusion The prioritized list of research questions will guide future work of the CEIR and can be used by others to inform research priorities to reduce important uncertainties about the effects of PHSM.