Educational Technologies to Support Rational Antimicrobial Prescribing in Primary Healthcare: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health challenge that compromises patient safety and has gained particular relevance in primary healthcare, where the prescription of antimicrobials is frequent and often based on empirical knowledge. In this context, educational technologies emerge as strategies to strengthen professional training and promote rational antimicrobial use.<h4>Methods</h4>A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024504630) and guided by the PICOS framework. The search was carried out in 14 national and international databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and LILACS, with no restrictions on language or publication year.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 763 studies were identified, of which seven met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The educational technologies reported comprised booklets, interactive seminars, workshops, training programs, online courses, and multifaceted interventions. Inter-rater agreement was substantial (κ = 0.823), although 85.7% of the studies presented a high risk of bias, mainly related to deviations from intended interventions.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Educational technologies show potential to support appropriate antimicrobial prescribing and represent valuable tools in preventing antimicrobial resistance, although current evidence remains limited by methodological weaknesses.