Workforce views on antibiotic prescribing and stewardship during the COVID-19 pandemic at an NHS Foundation Trust in England: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey examines the workforce’s views on antibiotic prescribing and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) at a UK NHS Foundation Trust during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted online between June and September 2023, it included 23 participants (12 pharmacists, nine doctors, two nurses). Key findings show pharmacists concerned with inappropriate antibiotic use (75%) and increased healthcare-associated infections (67%). Doctors highlighted misinformation challenges (89%) and the importance of monitoring resistance patterns (78%), while nurses stressed AMR awareness and decision-making challenges due to mental fatigue. This study underscores the value of AMS and robust communication to mitigate antimicrobial resistance effectively, despite limitations in sample size.