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Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): a Multidisciplinary Approach

Online short course

Overview
Overview - Antimicrobial Resistance: a multidisciplinary approach
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At the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015, the World Health Assembly endorsed a Global Action Plan (GAP) to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Implementation is being supported by a tripartite collaboration of World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The GAP sets out five strategic objectives, which are being mirrored by national action plans around the world. Capacity to act upon these objectives has been identified as requiring strengthening. This LSHTM short course aims to equip delegates with knowledge and tools to address each of the GAP objectives: 1) to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance; 2) to strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research; 3) to reduce the incidence of infection; 4) to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and 5) develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of all countries, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.

The course addresses the need to understand multiple aspects of the intractable problem of antimicrobial resistance. It will enable attendees to develop inter-disciplinary, multi-sectorial One Health responses and interventions to reduce the global threat of AMR.

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at those designing, implementing and evaluating strategies to address AMR. For example, the course would be relevant for members of National Action Plan committees, policy and practice professionals who are required to address and support AMR initiatives, mid-career scientists and postgraduate students, and clinicians who would benefit from an understanding of the public health importance of AMR and actions to tackle the problem. The course will have a specific focus on AMR in low- and middle-income countries. Applicants should have a good command of English, as all teaching will be in English.

Course tutors

Teaching staff to be confirmed. Last year's teaching staff:

Keynote lecture: Marc Mendelson, Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Cape Town and Director, The Trinity Challenge

Course fee

The fee is £1,299 and includes a Certification of Attendance.

A maximum of 20 reduced fee places are available for candidates from low and middle income countries and for self-funding applicants.  Reduced fee places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Course objectives
Course objectives - Antimicrobial Resistance: a multidisciplinary approach
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Aims & objectives

This course equips delegates with the knowledge, conceptual frameworks and tools necessary to understand the complex global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance. The course learning reflects a One Health perspective that incorporates multiple disciplines, multiple sectors and national and international level considerations. Specifically, the course will:

  • Provide grounding in multiple aspects of antimicrobial resistance as outlined in the WHO Global Action Plan
  • Guide participants through the interdisciplinary understanding of AMR from molecular biology to medical anthropology
  • To review and analyse a wide range of relevant topics - including definitions, genetics, epidemiology, public health impact, ethics, patient and health worker knowledge, chemical analysis, regulation and potential interventions
  • Outline key challenges in developing and implementing interventions
  • Equip participants to critically analyse and improve policies and strategies in the low and middle income countries where they work.
  • To bring together a diversity of faculty and postgraduate students, interested in the subject to learn and discuss together.

Course content

  • The history of antibiotics and emergence of antibiotic resistance
  • Antibiotic targets and mechanisms of resistance
  • Diagnostic laboratory identification of AMR
  • Break points and standardisation
  • AMR surveillance methods and burden of drug-resistant infections
  • Pharmacokinetics, exposure and drug failure
  • One health and AMR
  • The use of genomics in AMR
  • Antibiotic usage and agriculture
  • AMR and the environment
  • Infection control
  • Antimicrobial stewardship
  • The role of diagnostics in reducing antibiotic usage
  • Role of water, sanitation and hygiene in AMR
  • Role of vaccines in reducing AMR
  • Novel alternatives to antimicrobials
  • Developing new therapies
  • Economics of AMR
  • Social science aspects of antibiotic use

Teaching methods and course materials

Faculty for the course will include staff from the LSHTM Antimicrobial Resistance Centre who have extensive expertise in many aspects of AMR. Additional external lecturers will be brought in to provide specialist insights.

Teaching will be conducted online through the Moodle learning environment and will include both synchronous and asynchronous lectures, group work, and opportunities for participatory learning. The course materials, including lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations, key references and other programme support materials will be provided electronically.

Attendance

The course will be full time for 5 days. The course will be limited to a maximum of 40 participants.

As the course this year will run online, applicants must commit to complete the course during the designated week (3 -7 July). Lecturers and recordings will not be available beyond that period.

Methods of assessment

There is no formal assessment but at the conclusion of the course, a Certificate of Attendance will be provided.

How to apply
How to apply - Antimicrobial Resistance: a multidisciplinary approach
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Applying for this course

Applications are now closed. You can register your interest and we will let you know when applications reopen.

Please read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.