Increasing antibiotic resistance is a significant global health crisis. Without the proper use of antibiotics, many diseases may no longer be treatable leading to increased morbidity and mortality, and significant social and economic costs. A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System is investigating potential differences in consumer knowledge, beliefs, and experiences with antibiotics in relation to socio-demographic characteristics and consumer-provider communication.

The project uses a mixed methods approach including quantitative intercept surveys and focus groups discussions for the purposes of understanding individual knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors related to antibiotic use.

Recently, over 500 intercept surveys were successfully completed across urban/suburban and clinic/community sites with the cooperation Henry Ford Hospital, Matrix Human Services, Detroit Public Library - Parkman Branch, Garden City Community Center, West Bloomfield Public Library and the Henry Ford Health Columbus Clinic.

Nearly a dozen student members of the School of Social Work's Social Work Student Research Community (formerly known as S.M.A.R.T.) contributed to the study as survey administrators, gaining value research skills.

Researchers from Social Work (Drs. Sobeck and Smith-Darden), Nursing (Dr. Piper), Allied Health and Pharmacy (Dr. Kilgore) are collaborating with researchers from Henry Ford Health System (Drs. Kaljee and Zervos) to provide the results and share information across institutions, schools, and departments. The data will be translated for informing clinicians, researchers and others about consumer perspectives and antibiotic use and will act as a first step towards developing and implementing an intervention.