Overview

Increasing Influence: Communication Techniques for Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacists

Course Description:

• This course is designed for pharmacists and pharmacists specializing in antimicrobial stewardship, focusing on enhancing communication skills to increase their influence within healthcare teams. Participants will learn effective techniques to advocate for optimal antimicrobial use, facilitate collaborative practice, and educate both healthcare professionals and patients about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and stewardship strategies.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the principles of effective communication within multidisciplinary teams.
2. Develop persuasive strategies to promote antimicrobial stewardship principles.
3. Utilize conflict resolution skills to address disagreements regarding antimicrobial use.
4. Create educational materials for different audiences, including healthcare professionals and patients.
5. Conduct successful negotiations with prescribers to optimize antimicrobial therapy.
6. Leverage communication technologies to enhance stewardship activities.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Foundations of Effective Communication

• Introduction to communication in healthcare
• Understanding your communication style
• Barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them
• Active listening skills for pharmacists

Module 2: Persuasion and Advocacy in Antimicrobial Stewardship

• Principles of persuasion in clinical settings
• Advocating for stewardship: How to be a change agent
• Case studies: Effective persuasion in action

Module 3: Inter-professional Collaboration

• Building rapport with multidisciplinary teams
• Techniques for collaborative decision-making
• Role-playing exercises: Communicating in team meetings

Module 4: Education and Outreach

• Designing impactful educational sessions for healthcare professionals
• Developing patient-centered educational materials
• Utilizing social media and digital platforms for AMS awareness

Module 5: Conflict Resolution

• Identifying sources of conflict related to antimicrobial use
• Strategies for managing and resolving conflicts
• Simulation: Navigating difficult conversations

Module 6: Negotiation Skills for Optimal Antimicrobial Therapy

• Key negotiation techniques for antimicrobial stewardship
• Understanding prescribers’ perspectives
• Workshop: Mock negotiations with prescribers

Module 7: Communication Technologies in AMS

• Telehealth and remote communication for stewardship activities
• Data visualization and presentation skills
• Best practices for email and electronic health record communications

Module 8: Measuring the Impact of Communication

• Evaluating the outcomes of communication interventions
• Feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement
• Developing a personal action plan for enhanced communication in AMS

Course Delivery:

• This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive workshops, role-playing scenarios, case studies, and technology demonstrations.
• Participants will have access to online resources and a forum for ongoing discussion with instructors and peers.

Assessment:

• Participants will be assessed through participation in role-play scenarios, a presentation on a communication project, and a written plan for implementing communication strategies in their practice.

Certification:

• Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate recognizing their proficiency in communication techniques for antimicrobial stewardship.