Overview

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) present critical challenges to modern healthcare globally. 

Developed as part of the EU-funded REVERSE Project, this Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) provides clinical staff with the evidence-base, knowledge, and implementation tools needed to strengthen local infection prevention and control (IPC) and antibiotic stewardship (ABS) principles to address this challenge.

Hosted on Coursera, this open-access course bridges theoretical evidence and real-world clinical applicaiton. It equips healthcare teams to move beyond guidelines and successfully initiate, adapt, and monitor IPC and ABS strategies in their own hospital environments to their local context.

Course Structure and Modules

The MOOC consists of four core modules, each requiring approximately 2-3 hours of study. Each module includes video lectures, slide presentations, core (and optional reading), and a summative graded assessment.

The first lesson in each module is an introduction the topic presented by REVERSE Principle Investigtor and Head of Infection Prevention and Control at the Univeristy Hospital Zurich, Prof. Dr. Walter Zingg.

Module 1 | The Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-associated Infections

A foundational entry point to the course examining the burden of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), accompanied by expert interview segments led by REVERSE Scientific Manager, Dr. Ashlesha Sonpar.

Interviews:

• Drivers of AMR.
• IPC interventions.
• AMS interventions.
• Implementation science in IPC and AMS.
• Course summary.

Module 2 | Infection Prevention and Control

Instructor: Dr. Valérie Goldstein (University of Geneva) - consider image or graphic of the game

Lessons:

• Introduction to the module.
• Hands, Hands, Hands (hand hygiene).
• Search and Find (active surveillance).
• Play Tetris (isolation and cohorting).
• Stay Safe, Be Clean (environmental hygiene and isolation).
• Monitoring

Each lesson links to interactive scenrios in the Online Serious Game - Fight the Resistance - allowing for real-world simulations and practise. 

Module 3 | Antibiotic Stewardship

Instructor: Prof. Elena Carrara (University of Verona) 

Lessons:

• Introduction to the module.
• Why AMS matters.
• Building an ABS team.
• How to select the right ABS interventions.
• Audit and feedback: from principles to practice.
• Monitoring the impact of ABS programmes.

Module 4 | The Principles of Quality implementation 

Instructor: Prof. Lauren Clack (University of Zurich) 

Lessons: 

• Introduction to the module.
• An introduction to implementation (science).
• Who needs to be involved in your implementation.
• Setting goals for your change.
• Analysing your local context.
• Planning your implemention strategy.

Target Audience

This course is designed for professionals actively engaged in hospital IPC and ABS interventions across both high- and low-middle income countries, including but not limited to:

• Physicians and infectious disease specialists.
• IPC nurses and clinical leads.
• Microbiologists and laboratory personnel.
• Hospital epidemiologists and quality improvement managers.
• Undergraduate and postgraduate students in medical and nursing schools.

Learning Objectives

Each module and lesson has its own specific learning objectives. The overarching goals for the entire MOOC are detailed below.

Upon completion of the full course, participants will be able to:

• Identify best practices in hospital-based IPC and ABS.
• Develop a theoretical knowledge on core componants of quality implementation science in clinical settings.
• Adapt and apply implementation tools to their specific instituational context.
• Design a concrete, context-tailored plan to enhance IPC and/or ABS workflows within their own clinical ebvironments.

Key Practicalities

Platform:    Coursera

Language:  English, with english subtitles 

Format:       Self-paced video units, reading materials, and module assessments.

Availability:  Launching late 2026, the MOOC will run over a three-year cycle.

Course Launch

Registration for the course is not yet open. 

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