Exploring community healthcare provider perceptions on antimicrobial resistance

Abstract Context Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to global health, making previously curable diseases disabling or incurable. Human misuse of antimicrobials exacerbates the issue. As stewards to the public and prescribers of antimicrobials, healthcare providers are vital to reducing AMR, thus, their perceptions and experiences around the issue must be explored. Objectives This study aims to understand the perceptions of community nurses and physicians regarding causes of AMR, barriers, and facilitators to addressing it. Method In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand nurses’ and physicians’ perceptions on these issues. Results Overall, participants expressed that both environmental and human causes at various levels contribute to AMR. While most themes were discussed by both HCP groups, nurses more frequently brought up patient causes and patient education than physicians. Participants also reflected on facilitators to reduce AMR, including guidelines, patient and provider education, top-down and bottom-up initiatives. Identified barriers included patient demands, physician pressures and fears, and systemic overworking of physicians. Conclusions Our study demonstrated numerous factors underpinning AMR and many barriers to addressing it, hence a multifaceted approach is required. This work also offers insight on how different groups can be utilized or will react to interventions.