Journal Article

Improving antibiotic stewardship skills through interdisciplinary online education: a multicenter teaching intervention for physicians and pharmacists

Jahn, Friederike, van der Linde, Annika, Friedrichs, Anette, Kramme, Evelyn, Neubert, Anika, Jochum, Johannes, Koch, Till

2025

Overview

Background Effective antibiotic prescribing is a core competency for physicians and pharmacists in combating antimicrobial resistance. Despite this, many healthcare professionals report limited confidence in applying antibiotic stewardship principles in clinical practice. This study evaluates the impact of a structured, interdisciplinary online course designed to improve knowledge and self-efficacy in rational antibiotic use. Methods We developed and implemented a problem-based, eight-module online course delivered across four hospitals in 2023 and 2024. The course targeted physicians and pharmacists and focused on practical aspects of antimicrobial prescribing. In a quasi-experimental pre-post design, participants completed self-assessments regarding their confidence and knowledge in antibiotic stewardship using a validated 25-item questionnaire. Results Across both years, an average of 95 participants per session completed the course. Post-course evaluations showed a consistent increase in self-reported confidence levels in managing antibiotic therapy. On a seven-stepped scale (1 = very well prepared; 7 = not prepared at all), confidence increased from 3.53 (95% CI 3.3–3.8) to 2.16 (95% CI 2.0–2.3). Participants highlighted the relevance of interprofessional exchange and case-based discussions as key benefits. Conclusion Structured online education with interdisciplinary participation and active learning strategies can enhance healthcare professionals’ confidence and competence in antibiotic stewardship. Regular evaluation of both content delivery and learner outcomes is essential to optimize such training formats and support responsible antimicrobial prescribing in clinical settings.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Active learning / Adult learning / Andragogy / Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use / Antibiotics / Antimicrobial agents / Antimicrobial Stewardship - methods / Attendance / Clinical Competence / Communicable Diseases / Communication Skills / Control Groups / Course Content / Course Evaluation / Curricula / Data Analysis / Didacticism / Distance Education / Drug resistance in microorganisms / Drug stores / Drugs / Education / Education, Distance - methods / Educational aspects / Educational Needs / Educational research / Electronic Learning / Feedback / Feedback (Response) / Female / Grading / Humans / Infectious diseases / Information sources / Instructional design / Interdisciplinarity / Interdisciplinary Approach / Interdisciplinary aspects / Intervention / Learning / Learning Modules / Learning strategies / Learning Theories / Male / Medical Education / Medical students / Methods / Methods Courses / Multidrug resistant organisms / Online Courses / Online education / Online instruction / Participation / Pharmacists / Pharmacology / Physicians / Prescribing / Prescription writing / Problem based learning / Resistance / Self-efficacy / Surveys and Questionnaires / Theory of Medicine/Bioethics