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Toolbox  –  About the toolbox

Questions and answers

Below is a collection of commonly asked questions about the purpose and use of the Toolbox.

We have done our best to answer them here, if you have further questions about anything related to the Toolbox please send us an email at toolbox@reactgroup.org.

What’s the purpose of the Toolbox?

The purpose of the Toolbox is to provide inspiration and guidance to facilitate efforts to take action on antibiotic resistance. The Toolbox is built on what has been done in the past in a variety of settings, and is aligned with ongoing and current initiatives from across the globe. Throughout the Toolbox, a narrative text guides the user on how to work with the problem, combining practical advice with inspirational examples, and providing links to external resources. Many of the resources can be adapted and implemented in a variety of contexts.

Who is the Toolbox intended for?

The main target audience for the Toolbox is policy makers, intergovernmental organizations, human and animal health professionals, university students, civil society organisations and other stakeholders involved in implementation of antibiotic resistance interventions and research in low-and middle-income countries.

What do you hope to achieve through a Toolbox for taking action on antibiotic resistance?

We hope that this Toolbox creates a central location housing a sustainable repository of information for working on antibiotic resistance, which actors can learn from, and also use as a platform to share their experiences and knowledge with others.

Why should we take action on antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotics are indispensable in all health care systems, and have paved the way for unprecedented medical and societal developments. Not taking action on antibiotic resistance, means we would have to face the loss of several prides of modern medicine, such as major surgery, organ transplantation, neonatal care, and cancer chemotherapy – none of which is possible without access to effective treatment for bacterial infections. This threat isn’t in the distant future; it can’t be put on hold. Without immediate global, coordinated action, we will suffer serious setbacks within a few years.

How can I contribute to the contents of the Toolbox?

The Toolbox is an ever-evolving collection of information and resources, and will be continuously updated over time, based on new findings as well as feedback from our users. If you have concrete suggestions for improvements, an experience, suggestions of resources or perhaps even some data to share, please email us at: toolbox@reactgroup.org.

My organization wants to collaborate with the Toolbox. Is that a possibility, and how do we get in touch?

The strength of the Toolbox is built upon the collection of practical experiences from across the globe. We need help from our partners to add to the material and also to share it with people who are interested in taking action on antibiotic resistance. Do you want to collaborate? Send an email to toolbox@reactgroup.org, and drop us a line on how you think we could work together.

How do you use the Toolbox?

The key idea of the Toolbox is to approach the question of how to take action on antibiotic resistance by focusing on what you want to do, as opposed to who is going to do it. The position you are in shouldn’t limit your options. For example, health care professionals may be interested in getting involved with policy, or civil society organizations may be interested in collecting data. The Toolbox is open and flexible for the user to decide where and how they are most interested to work. That being said, some of the things that could be done are the following:

A health care professional might use the Toolbox to…

  • Plan a rational use program in their health care facility
  • Structure an infection prevention and control program in their health care facility
  • Find tools to gather data on antibiotic resistance, use or health care-associated infections
  • Access information on how to change behavior and raise awareness

A civil society organization might use the Toolbox to…

  • Learn how to set up an awareness raising initiative
  • Find tools and templates to perform a knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, practices study
  • Understand the role of rational use of medicines in the community
  • Understand the policy arena to get involved and influence decisions

A policy maker might use the Toolbox to…

  • Learn more about antibiotic resistance
  • Guide the development and implementation of a national action plan
  • Assess the situation in order to inform decision making
  • Identify priorities, desired outcomes, and strategies