Learning Objectives

Through this webinar, participants will be better able to:

  • Discuss the burden and consequences of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for primary care.
  • Understand the importance of antimicrobial stewardship activities in your practice or setting.
  • Implement and evaluate a cycle of antimicrobial stewardship activities.

Who is it for?

Early career healthcare professionals in the primary care setting, including but not limited to:

  • First 5 GPs
  • Other primary care prescribers
  • Trainee GPs, pharmacists
  • GP registrars
  • Nurse prescribers
  • Practice and community pharmacists
  • Paramedics

This session has been designed for early career professionals however is open to anyone who may like to refresh their knowledge on the topic.

Background

In 2022 80% of all antibiotics were prescribed in primary care [1]. Research suggests that around 20% of these prescriptions may be inappropriate [2]. Understanding the importance of antimicrobial stewardship is key to working towards the aim of reducing total antibiotic use in human populations by 5% from the 2019 baseline as set out by the national action plan for antimicrobial resistance [3].

This webinar is designed for early career prescribers as our individual prescribing cultures are often formed during our training or early in our career with evidence highlighting that once formed, prescribing habits are likely to remain stable over time [4, 5]. We will discuss antimicrobial resistance, its consequences, and tools available that can help support healthcare professionals.

References:

1. UK Health Security Agency, 2024. English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR) report 2022 to 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-surveillance-programme-antimicrobial-utilisation-and-resistance-espaur-report [Accessed 7 August 2024].

2. Smieszek, T., Pouwels, K.B., Dolk, F.C.K., Smith, D.R.M., Hopkins, S., Sharland, M., Hay, A.D., Moore, M.V. and Robotham, J.V., 2018. Potential for reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in English primary care. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 73(suppl_2), pp.ii36-ii43. Available at: Oxford Academic [Accessed 7 August 2024]

3. Department of Health and Social Care, The Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Department of Health (Northern Ireland), and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), 2024. Confronting antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029: Executive Summary. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029 [Accessed 7 August 2024]

4. Kitano, T., Langford, B.J., Brown, K.A., Pang, A., Chen, B., Garber, G., Daneman, N., Tu, K., Leung, V., Candido, E. et al., 2021. Association Between High and Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescribing: A Cohort Study Using Family Physician Electronic Medical Records. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 72(9), pp.e345-e351. Available at: Oxford Academic [Accessed 7 August 2024].

5. Björnsdóttir, I., Kristinsson, K.G. and Hansen, E.H., 2010. Diagnosing infections: a qualitative view on prescription decisions in general practice over time. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 32(6), pp.805-814. Available at: Springer Link [Accessed 7 August 2024].