The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses one of the most significant global health challenges, demanding coordinated action across healthcare systems. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential for promoting the rational use of antibiotics, improving patient outcomes, and safeguarding the effectiveness of existing treatments. This training course equips participants with advanced knowledge and practical tools to design, implement, and evaluate antimicrobial stewardship initiatives that align with global best practices and institutional needs.

Through a blend of theoretical insights and hands-on case studies, the program explores key areas such as antimicrobial prescribing practices, infection prevention, surveillance systems, diagnostics, and policy frameworks. Participants will learn how to apply stewardship strategies across hospitals, primary care, and community health settings while addressing challenges in compliance, resource allocation, and behavioral change. By the end of the course, attendees will be empowered to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs and contribute to reducing the burden of AMR within healthcare systems.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Clinical pharmacists and pharmacologists
• Infectious disease specialists
• Physicians and healthcare providers
• Microbiologists and laboratory personnel
• Nursing professionals involved in infection control
• Public health officers and epidemiologists
• Hospital administrators and healthcare managers
• Policy makers in healthcare systems
• Academics and researchers in antimicrobial resistance
• Consultants in pharmaceutical and healthcare management

Objectives

• Understand the principles of antimicrobial stewardship
• Explore strategies for optimizing antimicrobial use
• Strengthen infection prevention and control practices
• Integrate stewardship into healthcare policies and systems
• Apply diagnostic tools in antimicrobial decision-making
• Build surveillance systems for monitoring resistance trends
• Improve patient outcomes through stewardship interventions
• Address challenges in compliance and resource management
• Learn from global case studies and best practices
• Build institutional capacity for sustainable stewardship programs

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Antimicrobial Stewardship

• Definition and objectives of stewardship
• Global burden of antimicrobial resistance
• Benefits of stewardship programs
• Challenges in adoption and implementation
• International guidelines

Module 2: Principles of Antimicrobial Resistance

• Mechanisms of resistance development
• Common resistant pathogens
• Clinical implications of AMR
• Global resistance surveillance data
• Case examples of resistance trends

Module 3: Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices

• Rational prescribing principles
• Reviewing antimicrobial choices
• De-escalation strategies
• Monitoring antimicrobial use
• Addressing prescribing errors

Module 4: Infection Prevention and Control

• Role of infection control in stewardship
• Hand hygiene and hospital protocols
• Preventing healthcare-associated infections
• Role of vaccination in antimicrobial use reduction
• Implementing infection prevention programs

Module 5: Diagnostics and Stewardship

• Importance of accurate diagnostics
• Rapid diagnostic tests for stewardship
• Laboratory roles in guiding treatment
• Point-of-care testing integration
• Case studies of diagnostic stewardship

Module 6: Surveillance Systems for AMR

• Designing antimicrobial use surveillance
• Monitoring hospital and community resistance patterns
• National and international surveillance networks
• Data analysis for stewardship programs
• Reporting and communication strategies

Module 7: Pharmacist’s Role in Stewardship

• Clinical pharmacy contributions
• Therapeutic drug monitoring
• Counseling and education for prescribers
• Medication review and optimization
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Module 8: Stewardship in Hospitals

• Establishing hospital-based programs
• Multidisciplinary stewardship teams
• Monitoring antimicrobial consumption
• Evaluating stewardship outcomes
• Hospital case studies

Module 9: Stewardship in Community and Primary Care

• Rational prescribing in outpatient settings
• Public health campaigns for awareness
• Managing antimicrobial use in long-term care
• Community surveillance systems
• Case examples in primary healthcare

Module 10: Policy and Governance Frameworks

• National action plans on AMR
• Regulatory and legal frameworks
• Role of healthcare leadership in stewardship
• Building institutional policies
• Global policy perspectives

Module 11: Education and Training in Stewardship

• Training healthcare providers
• Designing stewardship curricula
• Patient and community education
• Continuous professional development
• Successful education initiatives

Module 12: Behavioral Change in Antimicrobial Use

• Factors influencing prescribing behaviors
• Behavioral economics in stewardship
• Interventions for behavior change
• Overcoming resistance to stewardship practices
• Communication strategies

Module 13: Evaluating Stewardship Programs

• Indicators for program performance
• Methods of program evaluation
• Measuring clinical and economic impact
• Benchmarking against global standards
• Continuous improvement approaches

Module 14: Case Studies in Stewardship Implementation

• Success stories from global healthcare systems
• Challenges faced in developing countries
• Regional experiences in AMR management
• Lessons from failures
• Peer-reviewed group discussions

Module 15: Practical Applications in Stewardship

• Designing stewardship protocols
• Hands-on data analysis exercises
• Building compliance dashboards
• Group case study exercises
• Peer collaboration projects

Module 16: Future of Antimicrobial Stewardship

• Emerging technologies in stewardship
• AI and digital health in antimicrobial monitoring
• New drug development and stewardship needs
• Strengthening international collaborations
• Preparing for next-generation stewardship programs

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.