Abstract
(1) Background: Pharmacists play a pivotal role in tackling Antimicrobial resistance through antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and are well placed to lead behaviour change interventions across the healthcare system; (2) Methods: A cross-sector AMS training initiative for pharmacists was implemented across England, with three cohorts between 2019–2021. Each cohort took part in an introductory workshop, followed- by a workplace-based quality improvement project supported by peer-assisted learning sessions. Completion of training was determined by an end of training assessment after three to four months. Outcome data and learner survey results were collated, anonymised, and analysed by the training provider. (3) Results: In total, 118 pharmacists participated in the introductory workshop, 70% of these subsequently undertook an improvement project, and 48% engaged workplace stakeholders in the process. Interventions were designed by 57% of learners and 18% completed a at least one Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle. Approximately a quarter of learners met the requirements for a Certificate of Completion. Knowledge quiz scores were obtained from 115 learners pre-training and 28 learners post-training. Paired t-tests conducted for 28 learners showed a statistically significant improvement in mean score from 67.7% to 81.1% (p < 0.0001). Sixty-two learner survey responses were received during the training and 21 follow-up survey responses 6 to 12 months post training. Of the 21 responses to the follow-up survey, ongoing quality improvement work and improvement outcomes were reported by nine and six learners, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The delivery of workplace-based training at scale can be challenging, however this study demonstrates that coupling learning with workplace implementation and peer support can promote behaviour change in learners. Further study into the impact of providing pharmacists across sectors and geographies with access to this type of training will help inform ongoing workforce development interventions.
Highlights
It is estimated that antimicrobial-resistant infections cause approximately 700,000 deaths globally each year, a figure that may rise to 10 million by 2050 unless more is done to tackle this challenge locally and globally [1]
(4) Conclusions: The delivery of workplace-based training at scale can be challenging, this study demonstrates that coupling learning with workplace implementation and peer support can promote behaviour change in learners
Further study into the impact of providing pharmacists across sectors and geographies with access to this type of training will help inform ongoing workforce development interventions
Summary
It is estimated that antimicrobial-resistant infections cause approximately 700,000 deaths globally each year, a figure that may rise to 10 million by 2050 unless more is done to tackle this challenge locally and globally [1]. There have been efforts to harmonise interventions against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in line with the World Health Organisation’s action plan published in 2015 [2]. In the UK, typical pharmacist roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing information and advice to patients, carers, and health professionals, supplying medicines and medical devices, patient consultations, as well as supporting education and training. The role of the pharmacist varies between healthcare settings, with community pharmacists spending more of their time performing patient-facing and medication supply activities compared with those in secondary and primary care [6]. Pharmacists working in primary and secondary care likely to spend more time on providing information and advice to health professionals and medication reconciliation activities pre-/post-discharge [6]
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