We performed a questionnaire survey to determine the degree of awareness of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media in Children, its contents, and convenience of use. We analyzed the data and obtained the following results.
1. The Guideline was known by 95% of the otolaryngologists and 75% of the pediatricians surveyed, and had been used by 65% and 50%, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant. Of those not using the guideline,25% of both the otolaryngologists and pediatricians considered the Guideline unnecessary, while 50% and 25%, respectively, considered it time-consuming to use; a significant difference in the latter reason was observed between the two groups (p<0.05).
2. The scoring table of the Guideline was considered easy to use by about 50% of both the otolaryngologists and pediatricians but difficult to use by the remaining 50%. Both groups considered the guide to the types and doses of antimicrobial agents easy to use.
3. More than 50% of both the otolaryngologists and pediatricians did not change the dose of antimicrobial agents and the frequency of myringotomy on the basis of this Guideline; the difference between them was not significant. Most otolaryngologists and pediatricians consider the recommendations for increases in the dose of antimicrobial agents according to the severity of the disease shown by the Guideline useful; no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.05).
4. When examinations in all situations were included, the frequency of bacteriological examination by otolaryngologists was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that by pediatricians.
5. The treatment algorithm was considered to be useful by about 70% of both otolaryngologists and pediatricians, with no significant difference.
6. The criteria for evaluation of antimicrobial agent efficacy did not significantly differ between the otolaryngologists and pediatricians. However, otolaryngologists tended to place importance on eardrum findings, while pediatricians placed importance on clinical symptoms.
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