Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now recognized as one of the major public health challenges worldwide. Yet despite awareness campaigns and repeated warnings from healthcare professionals, the issue often remains difficult for the general public to fully understand. Behind the statistics and epidemiological data lie human stories that can sometimes be dramatic.
It is with this objective in mind that the project “The Faces of Antimicrobial Resistance” was launched. The initiative aims to make this issue more tangible, accessible, and, above all, more human. The project was developed by the Network of Regional Antibiotic Stewardship Centers (R-CRAtb) in collaboration with the PROMISE meta-network, Antibiolib, and the national MATIS mission.
Through a video podcast, three individuals who have experienced an infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria share their personal stories. Their testimonies highlight the often-overlooked consequences of these infections, including medical complications, prolonged hospital stays, concerns about the future, and, in some cases, life-threatening situations.
These personal accounts are complemented by insights from Dr. Marie-Anne Bouldouyre, an infectious disease specialist and head of the Île-de-France Regional Antibiotic Stewardship Center, and Johanna Sombrun, a psychosociologist with the MATIS mission. Their expertise helps place these experiences in context and provides answers to the questions raised by antimicrobial resistance.
The initiative is built around two complementary formats. “The Round Table” brings participants together for an open, honest, and unfiltered group discussion about their experiences. “One-on-One” takes the form of an interview with an infectious disease specialist, addressing the key questions that anyone may have about the mechanisms, risks, and prevention of antimicrobial resistance.
To reach a broader audience, several short video clips have also been produced from these discussions. These clips will be shared on social media by RéPIA (the French Network for Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention).
This resource represents a valuable tool for healthcare professionals seeking to strengthen their awareness-raising activities, enhance their prevention initiatives, or facilitate dialogue with patients and the general public. By giving a voice to those who experience the consequences of antimicrobial resistance firsthand, the project helps shine a light on a public health threat that is often overlooked, yet very real.