Abstract/Summary

Background Antimicrobials are the cornerstone of modern medicine, used to treat millions of people worldwide. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is included as part of healthcare professional (HCP) undergraduate (UG) curricula; however, these have not been compared with WHO guidance and it is not known if there are education resources to help embed these principles into UG curricula and whether content may vary. Aims To identify published UG curricula or competency frameworks (CFs) for AMS relevant to medical, nursing, pharmacy, dental and allied HCPs in the UK. Also, to assess whether these curricula meet WHO recommendations and identify any gaps compared with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship competency framework. Methods A search for online education resources was carried out to identify UG curricula or CFs for HCPs for AMS or antimicrobial resistance applicable to the UK. Results Seven curricula or CFs were identified and reviewed. One AMS CF for all UG health workers, three for pharmacy UG students, one nursing AMS CF, one medical AMS CF, and the pathology curriculum. Domains varied between them but significant overlap was identified, and the majority of knowledge objectives in the WHO modules were covered in all UG curricula/CFs (except those objectives listed under the role of laboratory staff, which were only in the pathology curriculum). Gaps were identified between the most recently published UG curricula for pharmacists and the UKHSA antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship CF. Conclusions There is significant correlation between the UG curricula/CFs for HCPs in the UK, the WHO curricula guide, and UKHSA antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship CF; however, there are some identified gaps. Despite the availability of UG curricula and/or CFs for the majority of HCPs, these are not consistently embedded in UG training.