D1.1 State of the art and needs analysis on AMR training in Europe : a review of antimicrobial resistance education for healthcare professionals across six countries of the European Union: Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, and Spain

Abstract

Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to humans, animals and the environment, demanding urgent and coordinated efforts for mitigation. Education of healthcare workers (HCWs) is a key strategy for improving prescribing and reducing AMR promoting practices in human healthcare settings. Education of healthcare workers should, therefore, be considered a priority for national and international policy makers, including within the EU. Rationale The EU aims to enhance antimicrobial stewardship and considers education of healthcare professionals as a key component within the Council recommendation Stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance in a One Health approach1. Current evidence from the ECDC suggests that Greece, Hungary and Italy have the lowest rates of knowledge on AMR amongst healthcare workers2. This report aims to outline key areas to enhance education within these countries and the EU, in order to improve the standard of AMR management across the European region. Key findings ● Current AMR education lacks the integration of One Health approaches in general healthcare education at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate and continuing education. ● AMR continues to be a growing problem within the target countries (Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain), with a need to enhance all AMR stewardship interventions. ● The implementation of educational aspects of the AMR national action plans is currently low, and requires concerted effort, including resource mobilisation. ● The target countries currently lack standardised national education for healthcare professionals on recommended topics for AMR education. This issue exists within undergraduate, postgraduate and continuous education and requires systematic action to improve this. ● There are disparities in educational availability on AMR across the various healthcare workers. Efforts to address health professionals such as pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory technicians remain spontaneous and rely heavily on on-the-job experience. [...] Conclusion Although significant achievements have been made in the development of education for AMR, within the countries discussed there is a need for strategic educational development for all healthcare professionals to achieve universal improvements in knowledge. AMR requires cross-border responses and AMR education for healthcare professionals is a key component of achieving antimicrobial stewardship and protecting modern medicine.