Innovative Pathways to Strengthen Antimicrobial Stewardship in General Practice

Amid the pressing threat of antibiotic resistance, the strategic deployment of antimicrobial stewardship in general practice emerges as a vital defense, aligning with established outpatient stewardship frameworks.

Across clinics, tools and tactics evolve, changing how primary care diagnoses and prescribes.

While the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions in general practice faces significant barriers, targeted strategies optimize both resources and intervention sustainability. Challenges such as limited support and fragmented infrastructures often impede sustainable practice changes. As noted in a scoping review of AMS in primary care, ongoing support and integrated resources are crucial to sustain AMS interventions effectively.

For those expecting rapid relief from infections, shared decision-making helps clarify the rationale for not prescribing antibiotics when they are not indicated, aligning patient expectations with treatment efficacy. Patient engagement, a cornerstone of successful antimicrobial stewardship programs, supports informed decisions and adherence, which can reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. This participatory model has been shown to reshape practices by embracing patient involvement, as evidenced in a recent primary care randomized trial.

Building on shared decision-making, emerging diagnostic strategies bolster AMS efforts—particularly rapid point-of-care testing—which provide tangible results that can support not prescribing antibiotics when they are not indicated and guide precise treatment. Diagnostic advancements stand out as important tools in optimizing antimicrobial use: they help differentiate colonization from infection and are associated with more appropriate prescribing, a prerequisite to reducing resistance pressure. These strategies are highlighted in a detailed analysis in Microorganisms.

Looking ahead, AI-supported discovery of therapeutic antibodies sits outside routine general-practice stewardship but may, over time, broaden treatment options for infectious diseases.

If diagnostic resources align with clinician training, achieving targeted treatment protocols becomes a feasible goal—an emphasis echoed across recognized outpatient stewardship frameworks. This collaboration ensures that AMS interventions are effectively implemented and continually refined to meet evolving challenges in care delivery.

Key Takeaways:

• System-level support integrated into everyday workflows sustains AMS in primary care.
• Patient engagement and shared decision-making align expectations and can curb inappropriate antibiotic use.
• Rapid diagnostics paired with clinician training provide evidence for appropriate prescribing and targeted treatment.
• Horizon scan: advances like AI-enabled therapeutic antibodies are outside current GP stewardship but may shape future options.