Background to the AMS Out of Hours programme
Despite a reduction in antibiotic consumption in general practice, usage in other community settings, including out of hours services, has increased. The need to optimise antibiotic prescribing in primary care is an ongoing national and global concern due to the increasing risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The AMS (Antimicrobial Stewardship) Out of Hours programme resulted from the OPEN project (Out of Hours Prescribing: Enhancing Communication), a study about the management of common infections out of hours, on the telephone, in primary care treatment centres and in patients’ homes.
Researchers collected and analysed 220 field recordings including 68 advice calls, 86 base visits and 66 home visits with patients and caregivers over 12 months. The recordings came from 2 large, out-of-hours providers, serving populations in the South and West of England.
217 patients, including adults and children, and 66 prescribing professionals from general practice, nursing, and paramedic backgrounds were recruited. Common problems presented were respiratory (45.0%), urinary (21.4%) and skin (14.1%).
About the elearning
The aim of our evidence-based elearning programme on AMS Out of Hours is to help prescribing healthcare professionals optimise how they communicate with patients presenting with common infections.
The programme draws on data collected for the OPEN project, using illustrative examples from recordings of real out of hours clinical assessments, including advice calls, primary care centre appointments and home visits.
All of the sessions have benefited from review with multiple stakeholder groups and are focused on simple techniques that support positive stewardship practices.
Who it is aimed at:
The programme is primarily aimed at prescribing healthcare professionals working in out of hours community settings including, but not limited to nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and GPs. Experienced prescribers may find it useful to view the consultations and see how other clinicians practice and manage antibiotic prescribing out of hours.
The elearning sessions focus on out of hours primary care and cover the following topics:
- session 1: Managing patient expectations
- session 2: Providing self-care advice
- session 3: Delayed antibiotic prescribing
- session 4: Giving safety netting advice
Key learning points and self-assessments will be included in each session, to help learners reflect on their knowledge.
We recommend that learners complete the sessions in the order they appear above, although the sessions can be visited separately, as required.
Duration:
Each session should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and a certificate is available to download on completion of each session.
Evaluation:
After completing the elearning sessions, we would appreciate your feedback. Each session has a dedicated survey:
More information
These resources have been developed by a multidisciplinary research team led by social scientists in partnership with 2 large, out of hours service providers. Content has been supplemented by 21 interviews with out of hours clinicians, and each elearning session has been reviewed by stakeholder group representatives, including nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, GPs, patients and caregivers.
The programme has been created to support the implementation of antibiotic prescribing strategies, recommended by NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE clinical guidelines.
Meet the AMS Out of Hours programme team
Professor Geraldine M Leydon (BA (Hons), MA, PhD, Dip. PH)
Professor in Primary Care, University of Southampton; Co-Lead content author, Delayed antibiotic prescribing in out of hours primary care
Dr Rebecca K Barnes (BSc (Hons), Dip. PRM, PhD)
Senior Qualitative Researcher, University of Oxford; Lead Content author, Safety netting in out of hours primary care
Dr Jennie Hayes (BSc (Hons), MA, MSc, PhD)
Research Associate, University of Bristol; Lead Content author, Managing patient expectations in out of hours primary care
Dr Edward JB Holmes (BA (Hons), MA, PhD)
Research Fellow, University of Southampton; Co-Lead Content author, Delayed antibiotic prescribing in out of hours primary care
Dr Catherine J Woods (BA, MA, PhD)
Research Fellow, University of Southampton; Lead Content author, Self-care advice in out of hours primary care
Meet the OPEN project team
- Professor Geraldine M Leydon – Project lead, University of Southampton
- Dr Rebecca K Barnes – Project lead, University of Oxford
- Dr Matthew Booker – University of Bristol
- Ross Brand – Partnering Health Limited
- Dr Paula Gomes Alves – University College London
- Dr Jennie Hayes – University of Bristol
- Dr Gail Hayward – University of Oxford
- Dr Edward J.B. Holmes – University of Southampton
- Lydia Holt – University of Bristol
- Professor Sue Latter – University of Southampton
- Professor Paul Little – University of Southampton
- Professor Michael Moore – University of Southampton
- Clare-Louise Nicholls – BrisDoc Healthcare Services
- Professor Fiona Stevenson – University College London
- Dr Beth Stuart – University of Southampton
- Dr Joseph Webb – University of Bristol
- Dr Catherine J. Woods – University of Southampton
- Kate Henaghan-Sykes – OPEN Project Public Patient Involvement (PPI) Lead
Meet the elearning for healthcare team
Andi Blackmore
Programme Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Marnie Greenrod
Project Manager, HEE elearning for healthcare
Paula Casey
Learning Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
Rashmi Chavda
Graphic Designer, HEE elearning for healthcare
Rachel Gowland
Communications Officer, HEE elearning for healthcare
How to access
In order to access the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Out of Hours programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Out of Hours programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Out of Hours programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.