Developing Collaborative Strategies for AI-Enabled Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Preparedness in British Columbia

AMR is an increasing challenge for healthcare systems due to its impact on patient care, infection control, and treatment effectiveness. While advances in bioinformatics and AI offer opportunities to improve AMR surveillance and preparedness, stronger collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, and health system stakeholders is needed within BC healthcare settings.
The proposed engagement activities aim to create a collaborative platform for researchers and health system partners to discuss current challenges, identify shared priorities, and explore future directions related to AI-enabled AMR preparedness and surveillance in BC. The activities will emphasize relationship building, knowledge exchange, and collaborative exploration of practical needs, barriers, and opportunities within healthcare and public health settings.
The project will begin with an initial virtual planning meeting followed by a half-day in-person stakeholder workshop within the Interior Health region. Additional follow-up meetings will support continued discussion and refinement of collaborative priorities.The sessions will encourage interdisciplinary dialogue on current gaps in AMR surveillance, challenges associated with integrating computational tools into healthcare workflows, barriers related to data sharing, and opportunities for future collaborative initiatives.
Participants will include academic researchers, healthcare professionals, health system representatives, trainees, and stakeholders involved in infectious disease management, laboratory services, healthcare innovation, and public health preparedness.The activities will promote collaborative participation and knowledge sharing across diverse professional backgrounds and experiences.
Anticipated outcomes include strengthening partnerships between researchers and healthcare stakeholders, identifying shared priorities for future collaborative initiatives, improving understanding of healthcare system needs related to AMR preparedness, and supporting future interdisciplinary research activities.The project will also support trainee engagement and collaborative capacity building.
EDI considerations will be integrated throughout the activities by supporting accessible participation, inclusive discussion, and respectful engagement among participants. Hybrid participation options will be provided where feasible to improve accessibility and reduce participation barriers related to travel, scheduling responsibilities.