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Cross-border comparison of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and AMR prevention measures: the healthcare workers'

J Keizer1, L M A Braakman-Jansen1, S Kampmeier2

  • 11Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Centre for eHealth and Wellbeing Research, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
|August 2, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Healthcare workers in Germany and the Netherlands show high awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, German healthcare workers feel more empowered to combat AMR and its spread through antimicrobial resistance prevention measures (APM).

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare management
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • Public health policy

Background:

  • Cross-border healthcare facilitates the spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO).
  • Heterogeneous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention measures (APM) complicate cross-border healthcare.
  • Understanding healthcare worker (HCW) perceptions of AMR and APM is crucial for safe patient exchange and effective cross-border cooperation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare healthcare workers (HCW) in Germany (DE) and The Netherlands (NL) regarding their perceptions and experiences with AMR and APM.
  • To identify differences and similarities in AMR and APM approaches between German and Dutch HCW.
  • To inform strategies for safe patient exchange and cross-border APM cooperation.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was administered to 574 HCW (305 in DE, 269 in NL) via an online self-administered questionnaire.
  • Data were collected between June 2017 and July 2018.
  • Mann-Whitney U tests analyzed differences between German and Dutch physicians (n=177) and nurses (n=397) on 5-point Likert scales.

Main Results:

  • Both German and Dutch HCW demonstrated high awareness of AMR, with 30% feeling their contribution to limiting AMR is insufficient.
  • German HCW were more optimistic about their role in combating AMR and felt better equipped for APM compared to Dutch HCW.
  • Dutch nurses reported significantly lower perceived contribution to limiting AMR than German nurses (means 2.6 vs. 3.1, p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Despite shared awareness of AMR, HCW in both countries require greater empowerment to implement APM in daily routines.
  • Differences in perceptions highlight variations in local, national, and cross-border structures and HCW needs.
  • Addressing these differences is essential for enhancing safe patient exchange and effective cross-border APM strategies.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)Cross-borderEuroregionGermanyHealthcare workerInfection controlMultidrug-resistant microorganismsNetherlandsPrevention

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