Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41603426›Full record

ReviewThe Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy2026

Development of a capability framework for antimicrobial stewardship specialist health professionals working in the NHS in England: utilizing Delphi methodology.

Ryan A Hamilton, Debbie Cockayne, Frances Garraghan, R Andrew Seaton, Mark Gilchrist, Sanjay Patel, Jo McEwen, Nicolas M Brown, Naomi Fleming, Gillian Damant and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Ryan A HamiltonBritish Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53 Regent Place, Birmingham B1 3NJ, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-9328-2398
Debbie CockaynePage Medical Communications, Ely, UK.
Frances GarraghanBritish Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53 Regent Place, Birmingham B1 3NJ, UK.
R Andrew SeatonBritish Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53 Regent Place, Birmingham B1 3NJ, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-2509-0597
Mark GilchristDepartment of Infection/Pharmacy, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.ORCID 0009-0003-0625-3535
Sanjay PatelDepartment of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK.
Jo McEwenNinewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-5738-4776
Nicolas M BrownClinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Naomi FlemingNHS England, London, UK.
Gillian DamantNHS England, London, UK.
Kieran HandNHS England, London, UK.

Funding

NHS England PRN01247
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAntimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes are led by multi-professional teams and are central to optimizing antimicrobial use and minimizing inappropriate use. Although frameworks exist that describe the knowledge and skills relating to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and AMS for generalist healthcare professionals, there is a need to provide a framework for AMS specialists working in the NHS that supports the development of flexible capabilities rather than granular competencies.

objectivesTo develop a multi-professional capability framework to recognize and develop the specialist knowledge and skills of AMS staff across all sectors of healthcare, including adult and paediatric services, at all levels of post-foundation specialist practice.

methodsA modified Delphi approach was adopted. Initial capability statements were derived from a literature review. An expert panel of UK-based AMS professionals participated in two Delphi survey rounds to assess the importance of each capability statement and map level of delivery against level of practice. Descriptors of practice and professional development resources were identified through follow-up workshops and consultation.

resultsFrom 922 source statements, 45 capability statements were agreed and structured into four domains: AMS Professional Practice, Leadership and Management, Education, and Research and Quality Improvement. Consensus was reached across all statements following two Delphi rounds. Descriptors of practice and development resources were identified to support benchmarking and professional development across all levels of specialist practice.

conclusionsThis multi-professional capability framework defines AMS specialist practice relevant to all NHS sectors, supporting professional development, career progression, and strategic workforce planning across all professional groups.

Indexed as

Antimicrobial StewardshipDelphi TechniqueNational Health ProgramsState MedicineEnglandHealth PersonnelHumansSpecialization

Identifiers

PMID41603426
PMCPMC12848826

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.