THE ROLE OF INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAMWORK (NURSING, PHARMACY, AND LABORATORY) IN MANAGING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO STEWARDSHIP

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the critical global health challenges and is grave in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The following review discusses the role that interprofessional collaboration between nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory professionals can play in fighting AMR through promoting effective ASPs. Based on literature from 2020 to date, the article will discuss how each profession contributes synergistically, identify issues with implementation unique to Middle Eastern healthcare contexts, and present evidence-based practices to optimize interprofessional work. Some of the major challenges facing the Saudi Arabian health system are the high rates of use of antibiotics, diversity in the expatriate workforce in health care, and other varying levels of infrastructure. As indicated by the critical analysis of available literature and regional data, structured interprofessional teamwork yields significant improvement in antimicrobial prescribing practice, reduces the rates of resistance, and improves patient outcomes. However, their successful implementation has barriers relating to hierarchical cultures in health care, to resources, and to culturally adapted educational interventions. The findings raise an alarm for policy reforms and investment in interprofessional training programs tailored to the GCC region.