The overuse and misuse of antibiotics are accelerating a rise in resistant bacteria, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach, with education playing a key role. The EU4Health Programme funds the AMR EDUCare project, which trains healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to tackle AMR effectively.
A training platform to achieve behavioural change
The AMR EDUCare online platform will provide healthcare professionals across Europe with free, high-quality training to strengthen their role in addressing AMR. Designed to educate and empower doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and healthcare managers, this digital platform is now available in English, with more languages to follow. The goal is to enhance antimicrobial stewardship by promoting responsible antibiotic prescribing, improving waste management practices, and fostering effective patient communication.
According to Dr José-Miguel Cisneros, Head of Infection Diseases Department of the Hospital Virgen del Rocio (Seville) and AMR EDUCare Content developer of modules on prescription optimisation, "training is key because it is the only way to ensure that professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills to keep up with the extraordinary increase in information generated each year on infections and antibiotics."
Training modules
The AMR EDUCare platform offers three comprehensive courses designed to address key aspects of antimicrobial resistance:
- Optimising antimicrobial prescribing: Focuses on improving prescribing practices among healthcare professionals to minimise unnecessary antibiotic use.
- Reducing and managing antimicrobial waste: This section gives guidance on sustainable waste management practices to mitigate the environmental impact of antimicrobials.
- Empowering patients through effective communication: Equips healthcare providers with strategies to educate patients about responsible antibiotic use and the risks of AMR.
“There is a need for basic training on the economic and social importance of AMR and the urgency of addressing it. It is essential to strongly emphasise the role of veterinarians, doctors, dentists, and all types of prescribers in making smart prescribing decisions.”
— Ricardo Carapeto García, Head of Area of Environmental Risk Assessment at the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS)
The ongoing challenges of AMR prevention in Europe
Despite increasing awareness, several challenges restrict AMR prevention efforts across Europe. One major issue, as Albert Zoltan Aszalos, Senior Manager at the Hungarian Health Association and head of communication of the AMR EDUCare project, explains, is the widespread misconception that antibiotics are a universal cure: "Many people are very used to taking antibiotics, believing they are the solution to everything. But they don't realise that antibiotics can be as dangerous as useful."
Another key challenge is the lack of new antibiotics being developed due to the high costs and rapid bacterial adaptation. Additionally, in some countries, antibiotics can still be purchased without a prescription, exacerbating the problem of misuse.
The need for a One Health approach
Addressing AMR requires a One Health approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Sustainable waste management is crucial, ensuring that antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals do not contaminate ecosystems, contributing to the spread of resistant bacteria. Integrating this perspective into training and policy-making is essential for long-term impact.
“Understanding the role of the environment in the acceleration and spread of AMR is key for healthcare professionals to change their behaviour, which can support antimicrobial stewardship efforts in reducing the overuse of antibiotics. Reducing waste and understanding how to manage it will be essential skills for healthcare professionals to minimise the AMR crisis and its impact on public health.”
— Erik Ruiz, Safer Pharma Programme Manager
Strengthening public health policies
Beyond individual healthcare professionals, institutional responsibility is crucial in addressing AMR. Public health systems must integrate AMR education at all levels (from schools to universities) and ensure continuous professional training.
Dr José-Miguel Cisneros emphasises that "Public health policies are crucial for securing sufficient funding to ensure the necessary resources are available for these much-needed training activities. Moreover, these initiatives must have continuity and be accredited to refresh knowledge and be validated periodically."
Looking ahead: the impact of AMR EDUCare
Over 4,000 health professionals will be trained to address AMR in their healthcare facilities between March 2023 and October 2025. This training, the first of its kind, will analyse seven EU countries’ specific needs for AMR learning resources and develop tailored training. The expected outcomes include:
- Reduce overprescription practices by 10% among training participants and, therefore, the overuse of antimicrobials for human health in six EU Member States (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Greece, and Lithuania).
- Improve the knowledge and skills of medical doctors on responsible antimicrobial prescription.
- Improve the knowledge and skills of health management professionals on antimicrobial procurement, disposal and waste management by 20%.
- Improve the communication skills and capacity of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists by 20% to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials among the general public.
By providing accessible, high-quality training, AMR EDUCare aims to minimise the risk of development and acceleration of AMR and contribute to safeguarding public health significantly
The AMR EDUCare online platform will be launched in English in March, with additional languages to follow.