Engaging patients in antimicrobial resistance and stewardship
International Journal of Health Governance
ISSN: 2059-4631
Article publication date: 5 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the perspectives of patient advisors (PAs) on the current state of antimicrobial resistance (AR) and stewardship in Canada and identifies next steps, with the goal of stimulating further collaboration for action between leaders and PAs as well as research.
Design/methodology/approach
The perspectives of PAs were gathered using an electronic online survey of 72 respondents. A search of peer reviewed literature and publicly available reports informed the development of the survey and the articulation of a more comprehensive viewpoint in this paper.
Findings
PAs view AR as a serious and growing public health threat. They believe sharing the responsibility for infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship will help to control the problem. They see healthcare professionals as the most appropriate stakeholders to influence behaviors associated with appropriate antibiotic use, however, they also see value in public campaigns. Importantly, they identify several opportunities for PA contribution: education of care providers, patients, families, and the public; co-design and development of materials, policies, improvement initiatives, and research; and participation in and promotion of public campaigns.
Practical implications
Engaging PAs as partners at all system levels is becoming common practice. PAs bring a unique and complementary perspective that could contribute to antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Originality/value
This paper begins to bridge a gap between literature and practice, and proposes that PAs can contribute to antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the insightful comments of patient advisors from Alberta Health Services, Canadian Family Advisory Network, Health Quality Council of Alberta, Health Quality Ontario, Patients Canada, Patient Commando, Patient Voices Network BC, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council and especially Patients for Patient Safety Canada. The authors appreciate the invaluable assistance of the two librarians who volunteered to conduct the literature review, Suzy Bear and Trina Fyfe, and the support of Santiago Diaz Patient Advisor from Patients for Patient Safety Canada, Anne MacLaurin from the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and student Karin Fluet.
Citation
Popescu, I., Neudorf, K. and Kossey, S.N. (2016), "Engaging patients in antimicrobial resistance and stewardship", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 180-193. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-02-2016-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited