Capacity building to address antimicrobial resistance in remote Australia: The inaugural HOT NORTH Antimicrobial Academy

The Hot North Antimicrobial Academy was a 9-month educational program designed to build workforce knowledge and capacity in antimicrobial use, audit, stewardship, surveillance, and drug resistance in remote primary health care. The program was advertised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, regional, and remote healthcare workers, focusing on Indigenous health. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Academy ran virtually from February-November 2021 using Microsoft Teams. Results showed that participants raised awareness of AMR guidelines, built confidence in advocacy, and created a community of AMR champions in Indigenous health. The evaluation confirmed the Academy met participants’ needs, provided opportunities to move stewardship from tertiary hospitals into Indigenous and remote clinics, and developed skills in research, audit, stewardship, and advocacy.