The Social Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance from Coursera

Sonar-Global is a collaborative work to mobilize social sciences against infectious threats. It is a sustainable international network to strengthen the active participation of the social sciences in the prevention and response to infectious threats, including those posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and vaccine hesitancy.

The Sonar-Global's Social Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance MOOC is an independent course for non-social scientists who want to know more about the social dimensions of AMR. Furthermore, the course is also the basis for the OPERATE-SOC AMR curriculum, which is a curriculum developed for trainers who need to provide interdisciplinary training about the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance to non-social scientists. This MOOC includes lectures on important social science dimensions by 19 social science experts in the field of AMR, and it has been fully developed by social scientists.

The training objectives of this MOOC are:

• To provide a guided introduction to the social dimensions of AMR

• To learn about the relevance of social science perspectives and approaches in the study of AMR

• To get introduced to the need for interdisciplinary collaboration with social scientists when working on AMR

• To serve as a basis for the Sonar-Global OPERATE-SOC curriculum

For more information, please visit the website: www.sonar-global.eu

What's inside

Syllabus

Social Sciences & AMR basics

This module introduces the course, presents the definitions of AMR and social sciences, and explore the complexity of AMR. Also, introduces AMR from a biomedical and social science perspective and shows the role that social science/social scientists play(s) in this field.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners about the social implications of antimicrobial resistance, a critical issue in healthcare

Provides a solid foundation for non-social scientists who seek to understand the social dimensions of AMR

Features lectures from 19 experts in the field of AMR, offering diverse perspectives

Serves as the basis for the OPERATE-SOC AMR curriculum, an interdisciplinary training program

Requires no prior knowledge of social sciences, making it accessible to a wide audience

Taught by Danny de Vries and Luisa Toro-Alzate, leading experts in the field of AMR

Reviews summary

Essential social science for amr professionals

According to learners, this course offers an essential and eye-opening introduction to the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance. Many highlight the exceptional clarity and accessibility of complex social science concepts, making it ideal for non-social scientists in public health, medicine, or policy roles. The course benefits immensely from lectures delivered by 19 social science experts, providing diverse and authoritative perspectives. Students find its interdisciplinary approach particularly valuable, effectively bridging the gap between biomedical and social sciences. While some reviewers with prior social science backgrounds found certain modules slightly basic, the consensus is that it provides a solid and practical foundation for understanding the human element of AMR.

Ideal for those new to social science, potentially too basic for experts.

"As someone already familiar with social science methodologies, I found parts... too basic. It's definitely for non-social scientists."

"Perhaps more advanced resources could be suggested for those with prior knowledge."

"My prior background in social science made some parts redundant for me, though still well-presented."

Offers a strong conceptual foundation, with some calls for more practical case studies.

"The breadth of topics is impressive, but sometimes I wished for more in-depth case studies."

"Some lectures were quite theoretical, and I was hoping for more direct applications or case studies I could instantly use."

"It's a good conceptual overview, but perhaps not as 'practical' as I hoped."

Features diverse and authoritative perspectives from 19 social science experts.

"The experts bring such diverse perspectives. It truly highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches."

"The instructors are clearly experts in their fields, and the way they connected complex social theories to real-world AMR challenges was brilliant."

"Loved the expert insights! The variety of experts made it rich and engaging."

Effectively bridges the gap between social and biomedical sciences for AMR.

"This MOOC filled a huge gap in my understanding of AMR... opened my eyes to the critical societal factors."

"It perfectly achieved its objective of introducing the social dimensions of AMR... 'interdisciplinary collaboration'."

"As a public health researcher, this course was invaluable. It changed my perspective on AMR entirely, highlighting the human element."

Clearly explains complex social science concepts for a broad audience.

"An absolutely essential course for anyone working in public health or microbiology who lacks a social science background."

"Lectures were easy to follow, even for someone completely new to social science concepts."

"It does a great job of explaining complex social phenomena in an accessible way."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Social Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance with these activities:

Explore Interdisciplinary Research

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Engage with resources that demonstrate the application of social science perspectives in interdisciplinary research on AMR.

Browse courses on Interdisciplinary Collaboration

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Identify relevant research articles, case studies, or white papers.
Attend webinars or online workshops on interdisciplinary approaches to AMR.
Connect with researchers from other disciplines who are working on AMR-related topics.

Engage in Peer Discussions

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Exchange ideas and perspectives with peers to enhance your comprehension of course concepts.

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Join or form study groups with other students enrolled in the course.
Participate in online forums or discussion boards.
Organize group meetings or video calls to discuss course materials and assignments.

Create an Infographic

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Summarize key course concepts in a visually engaging infographic to enhance your understanding and retention.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Identify the key messages or concepts you want to convey.
Choose an appropriate infographic template or design tool.
Use clear and concise language, visuals, and data to support your message.

Three other activities

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Attend AMR-Related Workshops

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Expand your knowledge by attending workshops focused on the social dimensions of AMR.

Browse courses on Antimicrobial Resistance

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Search for upcoming workshops or conferences related to AMR.
Review the workshop agenda and identify sessions that align with your interests.
Register and attend the workshop, actively participating in discussions and networking with experts.

Develop a Community Engagement Plan

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Apply your understanding of social science perspectives to design a plan for engaging communities in AMR prevention and response.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Research best practices for community engagement in health interventions.
Identify target audiences and develop tailored messaging strategies.
Create a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the engagement plan.

Case Study Analysis

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Apply course concepts to real-world scenarios through case study analysis, enhancing your problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Identify relevant case studies related to the social dimensions of AMR.
Analyze the case study, identifying key issues, stakeholders, and potential solutions.
Develop a plan for addressing the challenges presented in the case study.

Career center

Learners who complete The Social Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Anthropologist

Medical anthropologists study the relationship between culture and health. They research how culture influences health beliefs and behaviors, and how health care systems are shaped by cultural factors. This course would be useful for medical anthropologists because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is directly relevant to their work.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human societies and social behavior. They research a wide range of topics, including social inequality, crime, education, and health. This course would be useful for sociologists because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is directly relevant to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and other health problems in populations. They identify risk factors for disease and develop strategies to prevent and control outbreaks. This course would be useful for epidemiologists because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a major public health concern.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Health Educator

Health educators develop and deliver health education programs to the public. They work with a variety of audiences, including children, adults, and seniors. This course would be useful for health educators because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a major public health concern.

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Health Communicator

Health communicators develop and deliver health information to the public. They work with a variety of audiences, including patients, families, healthcare providers, and policymakers. This course would be useful for health communicators because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a complex topic that can be difficult to communicate to the public.

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Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work with communities to improve health outcomes. They provide a variety of services, including health education, disease prevention, and case management. This course would be useful for public health nurses because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a major public health concern.

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Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific information to the public. They write for a variety of audiences, including scientists, policymakers, and the general public. This course would be useful for science writers because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a complex topic that can be difficult to communicate to the public.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They develop recommendations for policies that address social problems. This course would be useful for policy analysts because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a major public policy issue.

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Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical research coordinators manage clinical trials. They work with researchers to develop and implement study protocols, and they oversee the recruitment and enrollment of participants. This course may be useful for clinical research coordinators because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to clinical research.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide counseling to patients. They also work with physicians to develop and manage medication regimens. This course may be useful for pharmacists because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to their work.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat illness and injury. They also provide preventive care and counseling to patients. This course may be useful for physicians because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to their work.

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Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They research how microorganisms cause disease and how to prevent and treat infections. This course may be useful for microbiologists because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to their work.

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Infection Control Nurse

Infection control nurses work to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings. They develop and implement infection control policies and procedures, and they educate staff and patients about infection prevention. This course may be useful for infection control nurses because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to their work.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat illness and injury in animals. They also provide preventive care and counseling to animal owners. This course may be useful for veterinarians because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to their work.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental health scientists research the effects of environmental factors on human health. They develop and implement policies to protect human health from environmental hazards. This course may be useful for environmental health scientists because it provides an overview of the social dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, which is a topic that is relevant to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist