Micro-Sim: Advancing antimicrobial Stewardship education through interprofessional simulation.

Abstract

What was the educational challenge? Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing remains a persistent problem, with significant knowledge gaps among students and physicians. We evaluated 180 antibiotic prescriptions showing 68% were inconsistent with trust guidelines, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. What was the solution and how was it implemented? Participants undertook a week-long program comprising interactive presentations, charts, newsletters, and the Micro-Sim simulation. Acting as infection doctors, they managed bleeps and advised on ten structured cases including assessing a septic mannikin. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires assessed knowledge, supplemented by qualitative feedback. What lessons were learned and what are the next steps? Across 10 sessions (n = 105), questionnaire scores improved by 42% (p < 0.0005, Cronbach a > 0.8), and self-reported knowledge increased by 74% (p < 0.0001). Participants reported greater confidencein safe prescribing, with audit data showing improved adherence to antimicrobial policies. Micro-Sim proved adaptable across doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and students with potential for scalable, clinically meaningful impact worldwide. We now plan to train regional facilitators and develop a virtual version of Micro-Sim to enable international dissemination.