Final published version
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the burden of paediatric acute otitis media with discharge in the UK
T2 - a qualitative study
AU - Heward, Elliot
AU - Lunn, Judith
AU - Birkenshaw-Dempsey, James
AU - Molloy, John
AU - Isba, Rachel
AU - Ashcroft, Darren M
AU - Hay, Alastair D
AU - Nichani, Jaya R
AU - Bruce, Iain A
PY - 2024/10/21
Y1 - 2024/10/21
N2 - Acute otitis media with discharge (AOMd) results from a tympanic membrane perforation secondary to a middle ear infection. Currently, the impact of AOMd on children and young people (CYP) and their families is not well understood. There is also a need to explore the experience of healthcare professionals in treating AOMd. Interviews with CYP and their parents, and focus groups with medical professionals, were conducted to explore these objectives. A total of 26 parents of CYP (age range: 7 months to 15 years) with a history of AOMd (within the last year) and 28 medical professionals were recruited across the UK between August 2023 and March 2024. Healthcare professionals were from primary care (n=17), ear, nose and throat (ENT) (n=7) and emergency medicine (n=4) backgrounds. Thematic analysis was performed independently by three reviewers. The majority of CYP (n=25/26) (96.2%) had suffered from multiple episodes of AOMd. AOMd has a physical, psychological, educational, financial and social impact on CYP and their parents. Parents found accessing healthcare services and information difficult, which increased parental anxiety. Antibiotic overuse was also a concern among parents. The majority of general practitioners and emergency care staff described using oral amoxicillin, compared with ENT doctors who predominantly prescribed topical antibiotics. AOMd has a significant impact on CYP and their parent's daily lives. Need for clear, easily accessible patient information was identified as a priority by the parents of CYP with AOMd. Evidence-based management guidelines should be developed once high-quality evidence is available. ISCTRN43760. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.]
AB - Acute otitis media with discharge (AOMd) results from a tympanic membrane perforation secondary to a middle ear infection. Currently, the impact of AOMd on children and young people (CYP) and their families is not well understood. There is also a need to explore the experience of healthcare professionals in treating AOMd. Interviews with CYP and their parents, and focus groups with medical professionals, were conducted to explore these objectives. A total of 26 parents of CYP (age range: 7 months to 15 years) with a history of AOMd (within the last year) and 28 medical professionals were recruited across the UK between August 2023 and March 2024. Healthcare professionals were from primary care (n=17), ear, nose and throat (ENT) (n=7) and emergency medicine (n=4) backgrounds. Thematic analysis was performed independently by three reviewers. The majority of CYP (n=25/26) (96.2%) had suffered from multiple episodes of AOMd. AOMd has a physical, psychological, educational, financial and social impact on CYP and their parents. Parents found accessing healthcare services and information difficult, which increased parental anxiety. Antibiotic overuse was also a concern among parents. The majority of general practitioners and emergency care staff described using oral amoxicillin, compared with ENT doctors who predominantly prescribed topical antibiotics. AOMd has a significant impact on CYP and their parent's daily lives. Need for clear, easily accessible patient information was identified as a priority by the parents of CYP with AOMd. Evidence-based management guidelines should be developed once high-quality evidence is available. ISCTRN43760. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.]
KW - Parents - psychology
KW - Infant
KW - Humans
KW - Adolescent Health
KW - Female
KW - Focus Groups
KW - Adolescent
KW - Child
KW - Otitis Media - drug therapy
KW - Acute Disease
KW - Child, Preschool
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Cost of Illness
KW - Male
KW - United Kingdom - epidemiology
KW - Otitis Media with Effusion
KW - Qualitative Research
KW - Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use
KW - Child Health
U2 - 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-003012
DO - 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-003012
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39433432
VL - 8
JO - BMJ Paediatrics Open
JF - BMJ Paediatrics Open
SN - 2399-9772
IS - 1
M1 - e003012
ER -