Perception, attitude, knowledge and learning style preference on challenges of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial overuse among first year doctors in training and final year medical students

BACKGROUND: To promote effective education on challenges of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial overuse, it is necessary to understand the current perception, attitude, knowledge and learning style preference on these issues among future general practitioners and subspecialists. METHODS: In 2014, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey in two participant groups: 1) first-year residents and fellows (doctor-in-training, DIT) of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand and 2) final-year medical students (medical students, MS) of three medical schools in Thailand. RESULTS: A total of 225 DIT and 455 MS completed the questionnaire. Both groups had good perception of these problems. However, overall, only half of the participants answered that they can prescribe appropriate antibiotics to their patients (DIT 48.4% vs. MS 52.8%; p = 0.29). The DIT group had significantly higher mean knowledge scores on questions relating to antimicrobial use (64.0% vs. 56.0%; p < 0.001) and infection control (83.0% vs. 80.0%; p = 0.004). For the DIT group, the learning style preference regarding antimicrobial use was conducting an internet search (56.0%), followed by asking infectious disease personnel (50.7%) and/or using the Thai-language antimicrobial guidelines. By contrast, the MS group preferred asking ward personnel (57.4%), followed by using the English-language antimicrobial guidelines (52.1%) and conducting an internet search (27.7%). CONCLUSION: AMR and antimicrobial overuse in Thailand are well recognized challenges. However, final-year MS and first-year DIT have very limited knowledge of these important subjects. Customized education methods should be carefully chosen to ensure that future general practitioners and subspecialists are adequately trained.