LO89: The effectiveness of video discharge instructions for acute otitis media in children: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: In children, acute otitis media (AOM) pain is undertreated. We sought to determine if video discharge instructions were associated with improved symptomatology, functional outcomes, and knowledge compared to a paper handout. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled superiority trial comparing video discharge instructions (Easy Sketch Pro3TM) on management of pain to a paper handout detailing the same. We included caregivers of children 6 months to 5 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a clinical diagnosis of AOM. The primary outcome was symptomatology using the Acute Otitis Media Severity of Symptom (AOM SOS) score between 48 and 72 hours. The 7-item self-report AOM-SOS is scored from 0 to 13 with a higher score indicating more symptomatology. Secondary outcomes included knowledge gain using a 10-item survey, days of daycare/school/work missed, and recidivism. Assuming a minimal clinically important AOM-SOS difference of 2, 90% power, and 5% alpha, 60 individuals/group was needed. Results: 219 caregivers were randomized and 149 completed the 72-hour follow-up (72 paper and 77 video). The median (IQR) AOM-SOS score in the video group (adjusted for pre-intervention AOM-SOS, analgesic and antibiotic use) was significantly lower than paper [8 (7,11) versus 10 (7,13), respectively, p=0.004]. There were no significant differences between video and paper in the mean (SD) knowledge score [9.2 (1.3) versus 8.8 (1.8) correct answers, respectively, p=0.07], mean (SD) number that returned to a health provider [8/77 versus 10/72, respectively, p=0.49), mean (SD) number of daycare/schooldays missed [1.2 (1.5) versus 1.1 (2.1), respectively, p=0.62], and mean (SD) number of workdays missed by caregiver [0.5 (1) versus 0.8 (2), respectively, p=0.05]. Conclusion: Video discharge instructions are associated with less symptomatology compared to a paper handout, are effective for caregiver education in the ED, and should be used routinely.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VIDEO DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA IN CHILDREN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Paediatrics & Child Health ◽

10.1093/pch/pxy054.025 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. e10-e10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sheena Belisle ◽

Andrei Dobrin ◽

Sharlene Elsie ◽

Samina Ali ◽

Shaily Brahmbhatt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Otitis Media ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Acute Otitis Media ◽

Self Report ◽

Knowledge Gain ◽

Discharge Instructions ◽

Post Intervention ◽

School Work ◽

Caregiver Education ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract BACKGROUND Pain, the most identifiable feature of acute otitis media (AOM), is undertreated with 30% of children ≤ 2 years experiencing pain, fever, or both for up to 7 days, highlighting the importance of effective caregiver education. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine if video discharge instructions were associated with improved symptomatology, functional outcomes, and knowledge compared to a paper handout. DESIGN/METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled superiority trial comparing video discharge instructions (Easy Sketch Pro3TM) on management of pain and fever to a paper handout detailing the same. We included primary caregivers of children 6 months to 5 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a clinical diagnosis of AOM. The primary outcome was symptomatology using the Acute Otitis Media Severity of Symptom (AOM SOS) score between 48 and 72 hours. The 7-item self-report AOM-SOS is scored from 0 to 13 with a higher score indicating more symptomatology. Secondary outcomes included knowledge gain using a 10-item survey, days of daycare/school/work missed, and recidivism. RESULTS A total of 219 caregivers were randomized and 149 completed the 72-hour follow-up (72 paper and 77 video). Participants were primarily mothers (175/219, 79.9%); 136/219 (62.1%) completed post-secondary education and 147/219 (67.1%) had previously cared for a child with AOM. Children included 107/219 (48.6%) females with an overall mean (SD) age of 2.9 (2.8) years. Caregivers did not offer analgesia to 41/219 (18.7%) of children. The median (IQR) AOM-SOS score in the video group was significantly lower than the paper group, even after adjusting for pre-intervention AOM-SOS and medication (analgesics and antibiotics) given by caregivers [8 (7,11) versus 10 (7,13), respectively, p = 0.004]. There were no significant differences between video and paper in the mean (SD) number of correct answers given on the post-intervention survey [9.2 (1.3) versus 8.8 (1.8), respectively, p = 0.07], mean (SD) number of children that returned to a health provider [8/77 versus 10/72, respectively, p = 0.49), mean (SD) number of daycare/school missed by child [1.2 (1.5) versus 1.1 (2.1), respectively, p = 0.62, mean (SD) number of work missed by caregiver [0.5 (1) versus 0.8 (2), respectively, p = 0.05]. CONCLUSION Children of caregivers with AOM who received a five-minute video detailing the identification and management of pain and fever experienced less symptomatology compared to a paper handout. Our findings suggest that video discharge instructions in the ED are effective for caregiver education and should be used routinely.

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