Confidence in antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention among French medical residents: a national cross-sectional survey

Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major global public health threat. Infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial stewardship are key pillars to limit AMR, yet little is known about medical residents’ perceived preparedness in these areas. The aim of this study was to assess French medical and surgical residents’ self-reported level of confidence (LOC) regarding IPC and appropriate use of antibiotics (AUA) and to explore factors associated with confidence levels. Methods We conducted a national cross-sectional self-administered survey among French residents involved in antibiotic prescribing. Confidence levels were assessed using a 0–10 numeric scale across predefined IPC- and AUA-related clinical situations. Demographic characteristics, training setting, exposure to IPC and AUA training modules and awareness of the national AMR strategy were collected. Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed. Results A total of 151 residents were included. Overall, confidence ratings were significantly higher for AUA-related situations than for IPC-related situations (P < 0.001). Attendance of IPC training modules was associated with higher IPC confidence (P = 0.011), whereas attendance of AUA training modules was not significantly associated with AUA confidence. Training in a university hospital showed limited association with confidence levels. Awareness of the national AMR action plan was low, reported by only 17% of participants. Conclusions French residents report heterogeneous confidence profiles, with lower perceived confidence in IPC than in antibiotic-related decision-making. These findings support the need for earlier, multidisciplinary and practice-oriented training programmes integrating IPC and antimicrobial stewardship throughout residency.