New online courses for global AMR learning

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A free online programme developed by The Open University (OU) and the Fleming Fund has been updated with four new courses to complement the existing 25 courses, providing a comprehensive professional learning package to strengthen the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The online professional development programme Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance supports practitioners in adapting, building expertise, and applying new skills and knowledge to change work practices and improve AMR data surveillance. Since its launch in 2021, the programme has received over 90K visits.

AMR is an issue of great global concern. Health economists estimate that, by 2050, AMR could result in $100 trillion in lost economic activity and up to 10 million deaths each year if current trends continue. The Fleming Fund focuses on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) because they bear the heaviest consequences of drug-resistant infections.

Professionals involved in AMR-related roles across the One Health sectors: human, animal, and environmental, are essential for mitigating the impacts of AMR. There is widespread recognition of the need to provide learning opportunities as AMR-related knowledge and practice evolve. The Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance online programme’s primary aim is to help professionals in Fleming Fund-supported countries to enhance their work practices in their relevant roles.

Learning pathways

The online programme comprises 29 short courses and a practice toolkit. The courses are organised into ten learning pathways tailored to professionals’ specific job roles, including laboratory professionals, clinical services, veterinary services, policymakers, data scientists and epidemiologists. Learners choose and work through each six-hour course at their own pace.

Over 9,900 learners have enrolled and earned 4,170 digital badges recognising their learning through the courses. A considerable proportion of those learners are from Fleming Fund-supported countries and other LMICs.

Strategic shift

Four new courses reflecting the One Health approach and the Fleming Fund’s phase 2 strategic shift priorities have now been added to extend the breadth of the programme:

Gender and Equity in AMR surveillance

This course examines how AMR is shaped by both biological and social determinants of health; and what this means for global health policy and practice.

AMR in the environment

This course explores the environmental dimensions of AMR and the role of environmental surveillance as part of a One Health multisectoral approach to addressing AMR.

Whole Genome Sequencing in AMR surveillance

This course introduces the basics of whole genome sequencing and how it can be applied to AMR surveillance efforts in your country or region.

The health and economic burden of AMR

This course provides an overview of the burden of disease that bacterial AMR is responsible for, including both morbidity and mortality, and introduces the economics of bacterial AMR.

Trusted source

Dr Rachel McMullan, OU Fleming Fund Academic Lead, commented: “The OU has been the Fleming Fund global learning partner since 2018, tasked with producing this online AMR surveillance-focused workforce development programme. OU researchers monitoring the programme’s impact have consistently found compelling evidence of how the courses are helping professionals transform their practice.”

Timothy Worth, Health Specialist and Regional Grants Project Manager for the Fleming Fund, Mott MacDonald, said: “The Fleming Fund has supported the development of open access online courses, enabling The Open University to offer a comprehensive learning curriculum on AMR. These resources focus on foundational knowledge and skills in subjects relevant to the Fleming Fund and its aims, and have become a trusted source, providing individuals worldwide with access to high-quality learning opportunities.”