Perception, Attitude, and Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance, Appropriate Antimicrobial Use, and Infection Control Among the First-year Residents and Fellows Across Medical Specialties

BACKGROUND: To promote effective education on antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antimicrobial use, and infection control, it is necessary to understand the current perception and knowledge of these issues among future medical subspecialties. Our study objective was to determine perception, attitude and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antimicrobial use, and infection control in first-year residents and fellows of a Thai University hospital. METHODS: An 8-page paper questionnaire was distributed to all first-year residents and fellows of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University during their first orientation (June 2014). RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five residents and fellows completed the questionnaire. Majority of patients were female with a mean age of 26.71 ± 1.22 years. Nearly all of them (>90%) had good perception that prescribing broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents can harm the patient, can lead to the emergence of AMR and antimicrobial overuse is considered a national problem. Approximately half of them answered that they can prescribe appropriate antibiotic to their patients and more than half of them (54.8%) reported they feel anxious when they have to prescribe antimicrobial agents. Furthermore, internet search was voted as the most popular source of knowledge regarding appropriate antimicrobial use. CONCLUSION: The problem of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial overuse in Thailand is well recognized by these future practitioners. However, their knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antimicrobial use, and infection control is substantially limited. Additional efforts should be made to assure that these future specialists have a comprehensive knowledge and skills in the rational use of antimicrobials as well as the essential and appropriate infection control practices. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.