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The Role of Diagnostics in the Antimicrobial Resistance Response

Understand how diagnostics can be used in both the prevention and treatment of antimicrobial resistance.

13,198 enrolled on this course

Lab worker holding petri dish with microscopic close up

The Role of Diagnostics in the Antimicrobial Resistance Response

13,198 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Advanced level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover a more accurate, more targeted way to tackle AMR

There’s a major lack of awareness about how diagnostics can help us to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

This course was developed to help medical professionals like you tackle AMR. You’ll explore the varieties of resistant bacteria, such as healthcare-associated infections, clinical syndromes and zoonotic infections, and learn what to do about them.

By the end of your study, you’ll possess a broader awareness of AMR and what causes it. You’ll have a detailed understanding of how diagnostics can be used in prevention, and the targeted use of antibiotics in treatment.

The course content is available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 11 seconds ROSANNA PEELING: Hello, and welcome to our course, The Role of Diagnostics in the Response to Anti-Microbial Resistance, or AMR for short. My name is Rosanna Peeling, and I’m your lead educator. I’m Professor of Diagnostics Research and director of the International Diagnostics Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Years of unregulated use of antibiotics and other anti-microbial medicines have led to the emergence and rapid spread of AMR. The United Nations General Assembly has declared AMR to be a global crisis. Right now, resistant infections are killing patients at the rate of one every 45 seconds. By 2050, AMR will kill a patient every three seconds. That’s why we need to take action now.

Skip to 1 minute and 9 seconds Back in 2013, the World Health Organisation issued a call to action– no action today, no cure tomorrow. Sadly, now, six years later, not many people are aware that AMR has become a global crisis. In fact, a lot of people have misconceptions about AMR. Studies show that of the people who have heard of AMR, more than 80% thought that their bodies and not the bacteria have developed resistance. We’re very concerned about the lack of teaching materials on AMR. There’s even less on the use of diagnostics in the AMR response. There are three major ways diagnostics can be used to combat AMR. First, diagnostics are critical in reducing overuse of antibiotics in clinical medicine.

Skip to 2 minutes and 6 seconds Second, diagnostics can be used to screen for resistant bacteria to prevent their spread in health care settings. Finally, diagnostics is the only way to gather data on resistance trends and be alerted to outbreaks. We have therefore developed this MOOC in partnership with Becton Dickinson and Company and experts around the world to raise awareness of the global AMR crisis, and to increase knowledge and skills on the use of diagnostics in the AMR response. Over the next six weeks, we will come together to answer questions such as, what is AMR, and how is it caused? What is the global situation, and how diagnostics can be used in the AMR response.

Skip to 3 minutes and 0 seconds We will feature videos, animations, articles, and case studies from over 25 countries around the world, and across a variety of clinical and laboratory settings. All our materials are downloadable to facilitate classroom teaching, tutorials, and in-service training in health care institutions. We anticipate a diverse group of learners. We want you to take part in the discussions, share your own knowledge, skills, and experiences about AMR and diagnostics. We’re excited to take you through this course. So let’s get started.

What topics will you cover?

This course is organised in six weekly modules, according to the following topics:

  • Week 1: Introduction to the role of diagnostics in the response to AMR
  • Week 2: Common clinical syndromes
  • Week 3: Healthcare associated infections
  • Week 4: Enteric infections and the One Health approach
  • Week 5: Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Week 6: The future is in our hands

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Reflect on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and how it is caused
  • Describe the top causes of AMR (linked to WHO and CDC priority list of pathogens) such as Gram negatives bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTI) and healthcare associated infections (HAIs), sepsis and gonorrhoea
  • Explain the role of diagnostics in reducing the threat of AMR and in more targeted use of antibiotics use for above conditions
  • Reflect on the role everyone has to play in the fight against AMR both for now and the future.

Who is the course for?

This course is intended for health professionals, such as clinicians, nurses, nurse-practitioners, pharmacists, lab managers, technicians, faculty and students. It would also appeal to anyone with an interest in the field of antimicrobial resistance.

Who will you learn with?

I am Professor and Chair of Diagnostics Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Director, International Diagnostics Centre. I advocate the value of diagnostics in global health.

Research fellow and Dr.PH candidate at LSHTM and IDC Africa Director, with expertise in infectious disease diagnostics, translating evidence into policy, and global health leadership.

Dr. Robert Luo, MD, MPH is a diagnostics consultant and pathologist with expertise in clinical virology, microbiology, and global health.

Who developed the course?

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a world leader in research and postgraduate education in public and global health. Its mission is to improve health and health equity worldwide.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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