Assessing knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Infectious Disease Management
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates effective antimicrobial stewardship (AS).
• The Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG) leads national AS initiatives.
• Nurses and midwives play a crucial role in antimicrobial prescribing and patient education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current understanding of AS among nurses and midwives in Scotland.
• To identify specific learning needs related to AS within this professional group.
• To inform the development of a targeted AS education program.

Main Methods:

• A national survey was conducted across various care settings in Scotland.
• The survey targeted nurses and midwives to evaluate their knowledge and perceived learning requirements.
• Data analysis focused on identifying gaps in AS understanding.

Main Results:

• The survey revealed specific areas where nurses and midwives require further education on AS.
• Identified knowledge gaps varied across different care settings.
• Results provided a clear evidence base for curriculum development.

Conclusions:

• A dedicated AS education program is needed for Scottish nurses and midwives.
• The developed program addresses the identified learning needs.
• Improving AS knowledge among these professionals is key to combating AMR.