Training future antimicrobial stewards in the ESCMID AMS certificate training programme: from knowledge to action.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance necessitates specialized training for healthcare professionals in Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS).
• The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) developed an AMS Certificate programme to address this need.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of such training programmes is crucial for optimizing antimicrobial use globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of the ESCMID AMS Certificate programme.
• To measure the impact of the training on participants' knowledge, skills, and practical application of AMS principles.
• To evaluate the tangible results of local AMS projects implemented by participants.

Main Methods:

• An observational cohort study design was employed, including participants of the first ESCMID AMS Certificate programme.
• The programme comprised online and live courses, alongside a mandatory local AMS project with pre- and post-intervention analysis.
• Data collection utilized surveys, exams, and mandatory reports, analyzed across Kirkpatrick's four levels of evaluation (reaction, learning, behavior, results).

Main Results:

• Forty participants from 22 countries completed the programme, with high satisfaction and successful exam completion.
• 88% of participants submitted AMS project reports, with 84% demonstrating positive impacts on process, quantity, or patient outcomes.
• Key improvements included enhanced guideline adherence, reduced broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and shorter patient length of stay.

Conclusions:

• The ESCMID AMS Certificate programme is effective in transferring knowledge and skills for developing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (ASPs).
• The training successfully prompted the implementation of local AMS projects with measurable positive effects on antibiotic use.
• This programme contributes to enhancing global capacity for effective antimicrobial stewardship in diverse clinical settings.