Workforce Supply and Training in Antimicrobial Stewardship

Abstract

To improve the quality and safety of antimicrobial prescribing while minimizing unnecessary cost, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) require the unique services of a variety of healthcare and ancillary personnel with varied skill sets. At the center of such teams are pharmacists and physicians with specialty training in infectious diseases (ID). The potential implementation of regulations and accreditation standards requiring institutions to have antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP)s, along with growing evidence to their effectiveness and their increasing presence in different practice settings, are likely to increase the demand for such programs. An assessment of present and potential future antimicrobial stewardship (AS) operations is required to ensure the supply of trained clinicians to meet the growing demand. Presently, the majority of training is achieved either through private study or as part of experiential postgraduate programs. While postgraduate ID-focused programs for pharmacists generally incorporate antimicrobial AS training, such experiences are rarely part of the formalized experience for ID-trained physicians. Although some professional organizations are addressing the perceived lack of individuals with formal postgraduate ID training through certification programs, there are currently no formal regulations or guidelines for such training. It is unlikely the present supply of ID-trained pharmacists will meet the future demands in this area. Therefore, novel strategies (such as access to AS networks, the expanded use of communication and/or information technology, use of alternate personnel, and/or intermittent programs) may increase access to AS-trained clinicians.