Previous Experience of Physicians with Antimicrobial Resistance and with the Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs

The proper use of antimicrobials leads to reducing antimicrobial's consumption, enhancing health outcomes, and decreasing antimicrobial resistance development. Antimicrobial stewardship programs include implementing certain policies and guidelines that are designed to help the physicians in the correct selection of an effective antimicrobial and to optimize antibiotic use to reduce antibiotic resistance. The present study included a self-administered questionnaire and aimed to investigate the previous experience of physicians with antimicrobial resistance and with the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. About 55.68% of the physicians said that they are aware of antimicrobial stewardship programs and 50% of them have previous antimicrobial stewardship experience. Only 45.45% of the respondents received specialized training in antimicrobial stewardship programs. The study showed that a high percentage of physicians are not aware of antimicrobial stewardship programs and don't have adequate antimicrobial stewardship experience. Consequently, physicians need more comprehensive education and training regarding antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic use.