Episode 1

The medicine cupboard: antibiotics in Australia

Most Australians will use antibiotics in our lifetimes but there is a lot we don’t understand about how they work. In Episode 1 of our series we find out how most of us use antibiotics, what we know about them and what we get wrong. We hear stories about some of the most common uses of antibiotics, the uncertainty about when we need them and the fear that drives us to seek them when we may not, particularly for our children. We learn that antimicrobial resistance is a more complex issue than we can imagine – and why we’re making this podcast.

In this episode

We heard from Silvi Vann-Wall, one of our producers and co-host of the podcast Pill Pop, an ‘audio road trip for the chronically ill’. Silvi was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as a teenager.

Davina Lohm, a research assistant at Monash University, shares some insights from her 2020 research on Role crisis, risk and trust in Australian general public narratives about antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. She was also part of a team who put together a discussion paper on Promoting Australian general public awareness and action on antimicrobial resistance.

The Dandenong Young Mums’ Group is sadly no longer funded to meet anymore! We heard from Sasha, Rana and Hannah.

Lindsey Green speaks candidly about her experiences with chronic acne on Twitter.

This episode was produced by Silvi Vann-Wall, Sarah Mashman and Dr Britta Jorgensen. Executive producer is Professor Mia Lindgren. Hosted by Dr Britta Jorgensen. Original music by Associate Professor Dan Golding. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions. Mixing by Melissa May. Cover art and website design by the Swinburne Design Bureau.

There is some great information on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from the Australian government website.

And from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

For more information on World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 (18-24 November) head to the WHO’s campaign website.