Trends in management of acute otitis media by PCPs.
In 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians release guidelines on the antibiotic management of acute otitis media (your average ear infection). These are trade organizations that have the best interests of their members in mind. So, you would think that physicians would diligently adopt these recommendations because they would be in the best interests of their patients. So how many did in this study? 15%. Fifteen percent. That’s 85% short of full participation. Quite frankly, this is appalling, sickening and unacceptable.
As physicians, we have an OBLIGATION to do the best for our patients. And that includes staying current to at least a minor degree with medical literature and guidelines. What makes this all so much more bothersome is that ear infections are not that hard to fix, and use of antibiotics will likely increase risk of future infections by destroying normal, protective flora, not to mention the major negative effect years down the line by destroying a major factor in our overall health!! EESHH!! I feel better now.