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Abstract
BackgroundAntibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global problem with the overuse of antibiotics accelerating this process. Antibiotic stewardship aims to optimise antibiotic treatment to enable cost-effective therapy and improve patients’ outcome whilst limiting ABR. The study aimed to evaluate intern medical doctors’ knowledge and perceptions about antibiotic stewardship and their perceptions regarding education on relevant topics.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study on interns rotating at Bloemfontein Academic Complex. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was completed. The questionnaire recorded demographic information, perception and knowledge of antibiotic stewardship, and the quality of education as perceived by the interns.ResultsOf the 120 possible participants, 92 (76.7%) responded to all or part of the questionnaire. The median age of the respondents was 25 years, and 56.7% of the respondents were female. The mean score for the knowledge-based case scenarios was 5.4 out of 10. Only 4.4% participants could manage a drip site infection correctly, whilst 18.5% could treat Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteraemia. The interns perceived that they have a lack of training and preparedness in certain areas of prescribing antibiotics. Though 77.2% of the interns had received education on starting antibiotic treatment, 29.3% claimed to be unsure when to start antibiotic therapy. Interns indicated that formal lectures (81.3%) and bedside tutorials (86.7%) have a high educational value.ConclusionIntern medical doctors do not have sufficient knowledge to establish antibiotic stewardship but have a desire for improvement. The results identified specific areas where better antibiotic training is required.
Highlights
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a worldwide problem with the overuse of antimicrobial substances accelerating this process.[1,2] Prolongation of antibiotic treatment promotes ABR, which can lead to extended infection periods, morbidity and mortality.[3,4]The treatment of patients with resistant infections is more expensive than treatment and care for patients with non-resistant infections, with lengthier hospital stays and the need for more intensive care
The 28 interns who did not respond consisted of 11 who were on leave, 1 who refused and 16 who were unavailable during the time of data collection
All South African medical schools were represented amongst the respondents with the UFS representing the largest percentage (34.1%)
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a worldwide problem with the overuse of antimicrobial substances accelerating this process.[1,2] Prolongation of antibiotic treatment promotes ABR, which can lead to extended infection periods, morbidity and mortality.[3,4]The treatment of patients with resistant infections is more expensive than treatment and care for patients with non-resistant infections, with lengthier hospital stays and the need for more intensive care. Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a worldwide problem with the overuse of antimicrobial substances accelerating this process.[1,2] Prolongation of antibiotic treatment promotes ABR, which can lead to extended infection periods, morbidity and mortality.[3,4]. Antibiotic stewardship can be defined as a set of strategies that encourage the practice of giving the correct antibiotics and dosage via the correct application route for the right amount of time.[2] Antibiotic stewardship aims to optimise antibiotic treatment to enable cost-effective therapy and improve patients’ outcome whilst limiting ABR.[5]. Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global problem with the overuse of antibiotics accelerating this process. Antibiotic stewardship aims to optimise antibiotic treatment to enable cost-effective therapy and improve patients’ outcome whilst limiting ABR. The study aimed to evaluate intern medical doctors’ knowledge and perceptions about antibiotic stewardship and their perceptions regarding education on relevant topics
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Schedule a callMore From: South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care
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