Research commissioned by the World Health Organization and led by 91ÑÇÉ« shows that many organizations are working to develop and share educational resources for health-care workers on antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship.
The study, titled was accepted in the Human Resources for Health journal.
Steven J. Hoffman
The study was conducted by the (GSL), a bi-campus interdisciplinary research program based at 91ÑÇÉ« and the University of Ottawa, with 91ÑÇÉ« Professor and GSL Director Steven Hoffman; Susan Rogers Van Katwyk, Research fellow at GSL; and Sara L. Jones, Dalhousie University medical student, taking the lead.
The team of researchers investigated the resources available to health-care workers through a global environmental scan, looking at educational programs and resources designed for health-care workers on the topic of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship.
The study stems from the need to engage health-care workers in understanding and advocating for rational antibiotic use.
Researchers identified 94 programs and educational initiatives, summarized them and then developed a coding system to classify them to outline the available resources. They found that most resources were developed by "a combination of government bodies, professional societies, universities, non-profit and community organizations, hospitals and health-care centres, insurance companies and industry."
The study also highlights that although a number of resources are available, there are opportunities to increase engagement with students, improve pre-service education and produce better platforms for sharing resources online.
Hoffman said the study informed a WHO expert consultation in Geneva, as well as several followup efforts, including WHO developing training tools for health workers.
"It's a good example of 91ÑÇÉ« U collaborating with the United Nations and making a difference around the world," said Hoffman.