Rationale

We wrote this discussion paper to:

  • promote dialogue on the reduction of AMR in light of our research findings
  • provide a useful resource for decision-makers and health professionals
  • help advance AMR policy and communications for Australians
  • inform future research and programme development

To prepare this document, we consulted with policy-makers, clinicians and researchers in a series of zoom meetings held in November 2020. Participants were drawn from:

  • health departments in Victoria, NSW and SA
  • National Prescribing Service
  • the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • infectious diseases physicians
  • biomedical and social researchers from ANU, University of Melbourne and Monash University

Participants were asked to comment in particular on the recommendations from the research and relevant stakeholders.

The document is intended for decision-makers, health professionals and researchers working on antimicrobial stewardship as it pertains to members of the general public, including those:

  • developing, implementing and evaluating national, state and regional policy in government, non-government and industry settings
  • working in primary care and companion animal health settings that serve members of the general public
  • in hospitals and aged care with responsibilities for stewardship programmes

Practitioners in sexual health and public health may also find this document useful for informing their work.

Discussion paper contributors
  • Mark Davis (School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
  • Davina Lohm (School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
  • Ben Lyall (School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
  • Allegra Schermuly (School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
  • Arjun Rajkhowa (National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia)
  • Paul Flowers (School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland)
  • Andrea Whittaker (School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Chris Lemoh (Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia)