Improving antibiotic stewardship skills through interdisciplinary online education: a multicenter teaching intervention for physicians and pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Effective antibiotic prescribing is a core competency for physicians and pharmacists in combating antimicrobial resistance. Despite this, many healthcare professionals report limited confidence in applying antibiotic stewardship principles in clinical practice. This study evaluates the impact of a structured, interdisciplinary online course designed to improve knowledge and self-efficacy in rational antibiotic use. METHODS: We developed and implemented a problem-based, eight-module online course delivered across four hospitals in 2023 and 2024. The course targeted physicians and pharmacists and focused on practical aspects of antimicrobial prescribing. In a quasi-experimental pre-post design, participants completed self-assessments regarding their confidence and knowledge in antibiotic stewardship using a validated 25-item questionnaire. RESULTS: Across both years, an average of 95 participants per session completed the course. Post-course evaluations showed a consistent increase in self-reported confidence levels in managing antibiotic therapy. On a seven-stepped scale (1 = very well prepared; 7 = not prepared at all), confidence increased from 3.53 (95% CI 3.3-3.8) to 2.16 (95% CI 2.0-2.3). Participants highlighted the relevance of interprofessional exchange and case-based discussions as key benefits. CONCLUSION: Structured online education with interdisciplinary participation and active learning strategies can enhance healthcare professionals' confidence and competence in antibiotic stewardship. Regular evaluation of both content delivery and learner outcomes is essential to optimize such training formats and support responsible antimicrobial prescribing in clinical settings.