Antimicrobial knowledge and confidence amongst final year medical students in Australia

Introduction: Inappropriate use of antimicrobials is one of the major modifiable contributors to antimicrobial resistance. There is currently no validated survey tool available to assess knowledge and confidence of medical students in infectious diseases (ID) compared to other diseases states, and little is known about this topic. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of final year medical students attending universities around Australia was conducted between August and September, 2015. A survey unique from other published studies was developed to survey satisfaction in education, confidence and knowledge in ID, and how this compared to these factors in cardiovascular diseases. Results: Reliability and validity was demonstrated in the survey tool used. Students were more likely to rate university education as sufficient for cardiovascular diseases (91.3%) compared to ID (72.5%), and were more confident in their knowledge of cardiovascular diseases compared to ID (74.38% vs. 53.76%). Students tended to answer more cardiovascular disease related clinical questions correctly (mean score 78%), compared to questions on antimicrobial use (mean score 45%). Conclusions: Poor knowledge and confidence amongst final year medical students in Australia were observed in ID. Antimicrobial stewardship agenda should include the provision of additional training in antimicrobial prescribing to the future medical workforce

Confidence in knowledge in different clinical situations.

<p>NB: Answers were classified as ‘not confident’ if student rated their confidence between -5 (Not at all confident) and 0 (Neutral) on the Likert Scale. Answers were classified as ‘somewhat confident/most confident’ if students rated their confidence as 1 or higher.</p

Reported confidence levels in ID based on different variables (N = 163).

<p>Reported confidence levels in ID based on different variables (N = 163).</p

Pharmacist participation in antimicrobial stewardship in Australian and French hospitals: a cross-sectional nationwide survey

International audienc

An international inventory of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) training programmes for AMS teams

Background:Healthcare professionals are increasingly expected to lead antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives. This role in complex healthcare environments requires specialized training.Objectives:Little is known about the types of AMS training programmes available to clinicians seeking to play alead role in AMS. We aimed to identify clinicians’ awareness of AMS training programmes, characteristics of AMStraining programmes available and potential barriers to participation.Methods:AMS training programmes available were identified by members of the ESCMID Study Group forAntimicrobial Stewardship (ESGAP) via an online survey and through an online search in 2018. Individual trainingprogramme course coordinators were then contacted (September–October 2018) for data on the target audience(s), methods of delivery, intended outcomes and potential barriers to accessing the training programme.Results:A total of 166/250 ESGAP members (66%) responded to the survey, nominating 48 unique AMS trainingprogrammes. An additional 32 training programmes were identified through an online search. AMS trainingprogrammes were from around the world. Less than half (44.4%) of respondents were aware of one or moreAMS training programmes available, with pharmacists more aware compared with medical doctors and otherprofessionals (73% versus 46% and 25%, respectively). AMS training programmes were most commonlydelivered online (59%) and aimed at medical doctors (46%). Training costs and a lack of recognition by healthprofessional societies were the most frequently cited barriers to participation in AMS training programmes.Conclusions:The development of a systematic inventory of AMS training programmes around the globe identifies opportunities and limitations to current training available. Improving access and increasing awarenessamongst target participants will support improved education in AMS