Vol.74 No.4 July 2026
Learning needs and barriers to practice among healthcare professionals in antimicrobial stewardship teams: a questionnaire-based analysis
1)Department of Transformative Protection to Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka
2)Human Resource Development Division, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, The University of Osaka, 1-10 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan
3)Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Osaka Hospital
4)Department of Transformative System for Medical Information, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka
Abstract
Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) requires collaboration among multiple healthcare professions. However, differences in educational needs and practical challenges across professions have not yet been sufficiently examined. In this study, we compared profession-specific trends in learning needs and barriers to practice among physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and clinical laboratory technologists engaged in AS, based on a questionnaire survey administered at the time of registration for an on-demand AS education program. In regard to learning needs, "basic knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship" was the most frequently selected response overall. In contrast, selection of "clinical microbiology" as a learning need differed significantly across professions, being selected more frequently by physicians and clinical laboratory technologists than by pharmacists and nurses. This trend could be attributable to the limited educational opportunities available to the latter professions for systematic learning of clinical microbiology, resulting in insufficient recognition of its importance. In regard to barriers in practice, "insufficient knowledge" was the most commonly selected response overall, with significant differences observed across professions in the selection of "insufficient knowledge", "insufficient education for non-antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) medical staff", and "difficulties in developing activity strategies". Pharmacists more frequently indicated challenges related to "difficulties in communication with attending physicians" and "insufficient education for AST medical staff." These findings suggest that insufficient educational opportunities remain a major barrier to the implementation of AS. To promote AS activities, it is important not only to provide educational opportunities that address knowledge gaps, but also to strengthen practical skills and interprofessional collaboration. In particular, education that enhances understanding of professional roles and promotes communication across professional boundaries may contribute to more effective AS implementation.
Key word
antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship team, education, questionnaire survey
Received
December 26, 2025
Accepted
April 8, 2026
Jpn. J. Chemother. 74 (4): 508-514, 2026
