Gamified intervention to educate healthcare professionals on rational use of antimicrobials

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance AMR is a global problem. It’s important to train health care professionals on rational use of antimicrobials to curb AMR. Methods This is a prospective interventional study conducted for the clinical practitioners, Undergraduates MBBS/Interns, Post graduates and Pharmacy Students. A total of 50 participants were included in the study. The innovative games were administered for management of infections of all the different systems of the body in accordance with the ICMR treatment guidelines 2022 and latest IDSA guidelines involving different components. Pre-test and Post-test questionnaires were administered and evaluated. Results After the intervention, the knowledge on differentiating between bacterial and viral symptoms in respiratory tract infections and gastroenteritis improved from 48% to 94%. The practice of using right empirical choice of antimicrobials in the right dose for the right duration, based on the severity of the infection improved from 34 % to 82 %. The awareness/practice of using the right and rational combination of antibiotics improved from 44% to 84%. The knowledge on suspecting multi-drug resistant gram negative infections and other priority pathogens such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA and Candida infection improved from 32% to 78%. The practice of using certain antibiotics in specific infection sites based on their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics improved from 20% to 76%. The knowledge on intrinsic resistance of certain microorganisms to specific antimicrobial agents improved from 15 % to 80%. Conclusion The gamified intervention successfully improved participants’ knowledge and awareness on rational antimicrobial use. The substantial improvements in all the aforementioned components highlight the positive impact of the intervention in promoting optimal antimicrobial use and curbing AMR. Innovative gamified interventions create better and long-lasting awareness ensuring the appropriate use of antimicrobials.