Feasibility survey for a study on selective antibiotic management of acute otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the views of community physicians on management of acute otitis media (AOM) without antibiotics and their willingness to support research on this issue.


METHODS
Community physicians who admit to a children's hospital were surveyed using a questionnaire containing questions on current issues in AOM management and their willingness to support research on management of AOM without antibiotics.


RESULTS
Fifty-two percent of the surveys were returned. All respondents report concern about antibiotic resistant bacteria. Sixty-three percent treat otitis media with effusion with antibiotics and 68% give prophylactic antibiotics for recurrent otitis media. Thirty-five percent consider management of AOM without antibiotics as a possible alternative management practice. Forty-five percent of the respondents are willing to support research in this practice and 46% need more information.


CONCLUSIONS
Surveyed physicians indicate concern about antibiotic resistance and a willingness to support further research on the initial management of acute otitis media without antibiotics.
Yen
K
K
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. kyen@mcw.edu
Walsh-Kelly
C
C
Hennes
H
H
D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012106:Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents