Mentorship advances antimicrobial use surveillance systems in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

A shortage of trained personnel poses significant challenges to implementing antimicrobial use (AMU) surveillance systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Traditional training models, such as workshops, seminars and online courses, often lack the sustained engagement and support necessary for deep learning and skill mastery. This article advocates for mentorship as an effective training method for AMU professionals in LMICs. Drawing on our experiences as mentors and mentees from 1- to 2-year mentorship programmes in Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste between 2019 and 2023, we highlight the challenges and success factors of mentorship. Our insights demonstrate mentorship’s value in building expertise and sustaining capacity in AMU surveillance, offering a promising solution to address the personnel shortage in these regions.