93 / 2024-10-26 04:26:22

Promoting responsible use of antibiotics through tailored antimicrobial stewardship edutainment programs

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics remains the singular most common cause of antimicrobial resistance(AMR) globally. We have succumbed to the use of antibiotics as a quick stop gap measure in a feeble attempt to blanket our clinical shortfalls such as overcrowding in hospitals and poor fumigation of operation theatres. We have devised a youth driven program that is addressing this issue through innovative Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives that combines education with entertaining interactive learning tools. This concept of edutainment is designed to reinforce critical knowledge about antimicrobial agents including drug classification (AWaRe) bioavailability, the side effects and key prescribing guidelines without boring the learner. This curriculum uses the principles of andragogy in a self-directed learning realm.
The health care practitioners are encouraged to make informed decisions on antibiotic prescribing, enhancing their awareness of the broader consequences of antimicrobial misuse and how it leads to AMR.
The pilot phase of this project demonstrated in its pre-inception phase that a majority of the prescribers were moderately familiar with the principles of prescribing antimicrobials. However more than two thirds alluded that lack of formal training and knowledge was a substantial challenge in their diagnostic stewardship skills and confirmed that they had no formal training in AMS.
The expected outcomes of this program includes improved retention of AMS principles, better decision-making skills, and a stronger commitment to seeking evidence-based solutions in antibiotic prescribing practices.
The engaging layout is clearly more effective than traditional educational methods because of the retention of knowledge and self-motivation. This AMS initiative underscores the importance of using creative, context-specific educational tools in the fight against AMR. By targeting healthcare professionals at our tertiary facility we aim to promote a culture of responsible antibiotic use that can be replicated in similar settings in order to combat the global threat of AMR.