CMR Institute | Education for Pharmaceutical Representatives, Biotech, & Medical Device Industries

Impact of Drug Resistance on Antibiotic Therapy

This course provides an overview of infectious disease prevention, explains how clinicians select antibiotics, and describes the factors that influence clinician prescribing decisions. It then chronicles the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria and describes how bacteria transmit resistance. It also describes factors contributing to the increase in antimicrobial resistance and describes some of the antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains that represent treatment concerns in the hospital setting and in the community. In addition, the course outlines various strategies used by clinicians, healthcare facilities, and policymakers to counter the growing problem of bacterial resistance.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to discuss infectious disease prevention; explain how clinicians select antibiotics and describe the factors that influence clinician prescribing decisions; describe the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria and how bacteria transmit resistance; discuss factors contributing to the increase in antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains that present treatment concerns in the hospital and community; and outline strategies that clinicians, healthcare institutions, and policymakers are currently using to counter the growing problem of bacterial resistance.

Who Should Take This Course

Sales representatives and managers who interact with primary care physicians, family practitioners, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers who prescribe antibiotics, and those who are interested in learning more about antimicrobial resistance and its influence on drug selection.

Career Applications/Benefits

This course will benefit sales representatives and others by increasing their awareness of the trends influencing antibiotic selection and usage. One of the factors influencing trends in antibiotic selection is the rising incidence of bacterial resistance. Resistant organisms cause an increase in morbidity and mortality, extend patient length of stay in the hospital, and increase treatment costs. They also increase the likelihood of treatment failure and reduce the therapeutic options available to clinicians. As healthcare facilities seek to provide more efficient medical care, the usage of antibiotics is increasingly analyzed and managed by review committees. There is a greater emphasis on treatment protocols for infectious diseases, particularly in managed care organizations (MCOs). Clinicians in hospitals or clinics often have to obtain prior approval from an infectious disease specialist or medical supervisor before they can use a particular antibiotic. The information provided in this course will help prepare representatives to discuss the factors influencing antibiotic selection, particularly the concern over resistant pathogens.