Dr. Sharot leads the first antibiotic-smart primary health care center in Sweden

2026-05-26

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent global health challenges of our time, highlighting the need for responsible antibiotic use across healthcare systems. In this interview, Dr. Ismael A. Sharot explains how Nybro primary health care center became Sweden’s first primary care clinic to receive an antibiotic-smart diploma through data-driven decisions, strong team collaboration, and a shared commitment to change. He also reflects on the challenges of changing clinical routines and reducing antibiotic prescribing rates in everyday practice.

To begin, what first inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?

– From an early age, I was drawn to the opportunity to support people during difficult times. To me, medicine has always been about more than treating illness.

– It is also about responsibility, trust, and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I have always been inspired by how science and medical knowledge can help reduce suffering and improve safety and well-being for both individuals and communities.

For how long have you worked as a doctor?

– I have worked as a doctor for approximately 21 years. I graduated in 2005. Later, I became a specialist in Clinical Microbiology in 2012, and became a specialist in Family Medicine in Sweden in 2023.

– I have worked both in Syria and Sweden, and the combination of these two specialties has given me a broader understanding of healthcare systems and how antibiotic use works in clinical practice in different settings.

How has your interest in antibiotics and antibiotic resistance developed?

– My commitment grew through both my work in microbiology and my clinical work in primary care. I saw early on that antibiotic resistance is not a future problem, but something that is already affecting patients today.

– At the same time, many infections can be managed more wisely. Clearer communication and increased knowledge among both healthcare staff and patients make a big difference. This sparked a strong motivation in me to become more actively involved in antibiotic issues and the national project Antibiotic Smart Sweden.

Why did Nybro primary health care center decide to join Antibiotic Smart Sweden?

– For us, it was about creating a long-term and sustainable antibiotic use in primary care. We wanted to strengthen the quality of our work and at the same time create a shared culture around wise antibiotic decisions.

–The work with Antibiotic Smart Sweden gave us a clear structure, concrete goals, and the opportunity to engage the whole team: doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, medical secretaries, and other staff in the same important question.

What were your biggest challenges in the project work? What did you learn?

– One of the biggest challenges has been to create change in an already pressured healthcare environment where time and resources are often limited. It requires patience and continuity to change ways of working and create new routines.

– We have learned that success relies heavily on participation, good communication, and that the whole team feels involved in the process. Small steps over time can create big change. We have also seen how patients themselves are starting to help spread knowledge about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance further into society, which feels very positive.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope your work on antibiotic resistance will have in the future?

– I hope our work continues to contribute to a more sustainable antibiotic use and increased awareness, both among healthcare staff and patients.

– Antibiotic resistance is a global issue that requires both local responsibility and international cooperation. By inspiring more units to work systematically and long-term with these questions, we can make a real difference for future generations.

– It has now been more than a year since Nybro primary health care center became the first certified health center in Sweden, and I am very glad that many other health centers in Region Kalmar have also been certified. Currently Region Kalmar has the most certified health centers in Sweden, which is something we are all very proud of. Seven out of Sweden’s nineteen certified health centers are found right here in Region Kalmar, proving the widespread success of the Antibiotic Smart Sweden initiative.