The social burden of antimicrobial resistance in Australia: Long term survivors’ therapeutic quests

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined as a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Already within Australia, there is a growing burden of morbidity and mortality due to AMR infections. While efforts are underway to develop new interventions to prevent and treat such infections, little research has been undertaken on the social costs and implications of these infections, particularly within patients who have survived, but continue to suffer from the sequelae of AMR infection. This project is inspired by the experience of one of the CIs who regularly receives appeals from AMR sufferers desperately seeking alternative therapies, many of which are not currently offered in Australia as well as discussions with infectious disease physicians on their patients’ experiences.

Awarded $36,253