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Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs using Multidisciplinary Teams

Learn how multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) can help Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programs deliver positive patient outcomes.

487 enrolled on this course

2 happy female wearing medics' uniforms standing before 2 male multi-ethnic medical professionals.

Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs using Multidisciplinary Teams

487 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Open level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Examine the impact of multidisciplinary teams in AMS programs

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat that impacts healthcare costs, causing prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality.

On this three-week course from BSAC, you’ll learn how multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), as part of an Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) program, help prevent the spread of AMR and also reduce costs.

Explore the role of a multidisciplinary team in healthcare facilities

MDTs are composed of professionals including nurses, pharmacists, and microbiologists, all sharing a common goal of reducing AMR in their healthcare facility.

You’ll explore individual MDT roles and how, when brought together, they can improve patient outcomes. You’ll examine contributing factors of successful MDTs and compare carer and patient experiences without the support of MDTs.

Develop a multidisciplinary team within your organisation

By identifying key members of MDTs and alternate MDT structures for different settings, you’ll learn the most appropriate implementation for your healthcare facility.

Exploring perspectives of MDT practitioners, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of good practice and the steps needed to integrate an MDT into your current care framework.

You’ll be able to evaluate the impact of MDTs within your own setting and take steps to implement this structure within your organisation.

Investigate the effect of a successful MDT on patient care

Using a range of case studies, you’ll explore how different roles within the MDT deliver positive impacts on patient attitudes, outcomes, and overall care.

You’ll assess the examples and be able to discuss the benefits and challenges of collective approaches to AMS.

By the end of this course, you’ll understand the role of MDTs within AMS programs, and their impact on reducing AMR across healthcare facilities.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Linking multidisciplinary teams and antimicrobial stewardship

    • white letters spelling welcome

      Welcome to week 1

      In this first activity you will be introduced to the course, the educators and provided with tools you can use throughout the course.

    • Hospital team working together

      Introduction to Antimicrobial Stewardship and Multidisciplinary Teams

      This activity introduces topics of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT). Learners will explore what is meant by each term, and how the two are linked together.

    • female doctor shrugging shoulders

      Understanding the MDT

      In this step we will explore what makes an MDT successful, as well as investigating some of the barriers lying in the way of success.

    • senior woman having a discussion with medical specialist about treatment in hospital hallway

      Patients and participants experience in the MDT

      In this step, we will explore different experiences of the MDT from the perspectives of both patients being cared for and multidisciplinary team members.

    • senior woman with walking frame in hospital waiting room for treatment

      MDT in practice

      In this step, we will look at how an MDT functions in a real life healthcare facility, and hear some useful tips to keep in mind when working in an AMS MDT.

    • blue tick in a box

      End of week 1

      A summary of topics presented in this week

  • Week 2

    Developing a multidisciplinary team in your healthcare facility

    • coffee mug alarm clock and laptop on a blue background

      Welcome to week 2

      This step introduces you to week 2 of this course and discusses what will be covered in the second week of this course. You will also be asked to respond to a poll looking at the setup of MDTs.

    • healthcare team joining hands in centre of a circle

      The role of a multidisciplinary team in healthcare facilities

      Learners review topics covered in week one and discuss the role of a multidisciplinary team in their facility.

    • wooden jigsaw pieces and mechanical cogs on a blue background

      Preparing for your multidisciplinary teams setup

      In this activity, learners identify key members of MDTs and explore the structure of MDTs for different settings. You will then go onto explore the minimum requirements that should be in place when setting up an MDT.

    • 2 healthcare workers wearing surgical masks

      Develop a multidisciplinary team in your antimicrobial stewardship program

      This activity builds on the previous activity providing learners with more detail on how to develop an MDT for their healthcare facility, in line with AMS programmes.

    • hand holding checkered flag

      End of week 2

      A summary of learnings from week 2.

  • Week 3

    Impact of multidisciplinary teams on patient care

    • HCP looking at a case report

      Welcome to week 3

      This step introduces you to week 3 of this course and discusses what will be covered in the final week. You will also be asked to respond to a poll looking at the use of MDTs at your facility.

    • HCPs walking down hospital corridor

      The multidisciplinary team ward round: Part 1

      In this activity, you will be shown two different case studies, one managed without adequate MDT intervention and one with a well-followed MDT practice.

    • Nurses working with medical machinery in the foreground

      The multidisciplinary team ward round: Part 2

      In this activity, you will be introduced to another set of case studies that highlight the importance of MDTs.

    • HCPs putting hands in the middle of a circle

      A successful multidisciplinary team

      In this activity, you'll build on knowledge from previous activities to discuss how how working together in an MDT can improve patient care.

    • Ascending light bulbs on a shelf

      End of course

      A summary of learnings from this course and a chance to test knowledge of the week.

Who is this accredited by?

Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists:

The College is a professional membership organisation, concerned with all matters relating to the science and practice of pathology. This course has been approved for 6 CPD points.

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the principles and significance of an MDT, particularly in relation to AMS practices.
  • Identify the key members of a functional and successful MDT in your facility.
  • Calculate and model the steps that should be followed when setting up an MDT.
  • Evaluate the case studies presented – highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of the individual vs collective approach to AMS.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in or interested in developing an Antimicrobial Stewardship program using a multidisciplinary team.

This course is particularly suited to clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, and people working in healthcare facility management.

Who will you learn with?

Sally Tipping

Specialist Antimicrobial Pharmacist, The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Education officer, British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC). Special interest in multidisciplinary working in NHS.

Who developed the course?

BSAC logo

BSAC

Founded in 1971, the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy is committed to addressing the growing threat of drug resistant infections around the world.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 27 Feb 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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