Better knowledge means better choices by veterinarians

Antimicrobial stewardship online training program 

Addressing OIE Strategy Objective:

Improve awareness and understanding

A new website called the “AMR Vet Collective” has been developed as an information hub for Australian veterinarians and others who want to learn about antimicrobial resistance and stewardship in Australian animal industries. The Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship (VetAMS) Online Training Program was relaunched in September 2021 with nine modules that will support veterinarians and their prescribing decisions. This builds on previous work by the Veterinary Schools of Australia and New Zealand.

The AMR Vet Collective aims to translate the science around antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and stewardship into meaningful and practical information that veterinarians can call upon to make evidence-based decisions in their daily practice. The website serves as an information hub with resources, links, and access to the Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship (VetAMS) Online Training Program. This resource has been upgraded by the School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Sydney, and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University. Online materials now include infographics for use in veterinary clinics, on farm, and in schools and universities, links to veterinary prescribing guidelines and the new, extended VetAMS Online Training Program. The Australian government funded development of the program. It is designed for the Australian context but is broadly relevant to those working in other countries.

Accessibility

The online training course is available at the VetAMS website (www.vetams.org) for use at no cost by veterinary practitioners or others working in the animal health sector who want to learn about AMR. The information hub can be found at www.amrvetcollective.com.

Contents of the training course

The nine scenario-centred interactive modules in the training course are:

• Module 1: AMR update: Where are we now?
• Module 2: Core concepts in AMR
• Module 3: Antibiotic classes
• Module 4: Resistance mechanisms
• Module 5: Diagnosing bacterial infections
• Module 6: Antibiotic prescribing and the microbiome
• Module 7: Using prescribing guidelines
• Module 8: Infection prevention and control
• Module 9: Implementing an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program: Putting theory into practice

Achievements

As a result of the project, the following were achieved:

• The Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Online Training Program with nine modules was developed and published on the VetAMS website (vetams.org).
• The training program has been widely promoted to stakeholders via social media as well as traditional communication channels.
• An online information hub, the AMR Vet Collective (amrvetcollective.com) was made available to help veterinarians and others find key information about AMR and AMS.
• The project contributes to the implementation of Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and Beyond.
• This project is helping to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials for people and animals in our care.

Original report prepared by Dr Samantha Ellis, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Australia; updated by Dr HyoRyung Lee, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Australia