EVALUATION OF PAEDIATRICS PRIMARY CARE: THE EXAMPLE OF THE ACP (CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PAEDIATRICIANS) PROTOCOL FOR THE “WAIT-AND-SEE” STRATEGY FOR CHILDREN WITH ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA

Key words: Acute otitis media, Family paediatricians, Antibiotics, Delayed prescriptions, Wait-and-see approach

The Author reports the application of the protocol for the “wait-and-see” strategy for children with acute otitis media (AOM) in primary care. In 4 years the protocol was applied to 635 cases of AOM, 63% of which spontaneously recovered without using antibiotics. Antibiotics were used according to the characteristics of the eardrum, more frequently in case of a clear acute otitis media at the otoscopic examination. Practice guidelines based on a wait-and-see strategy for children with AOM are applicable and effective in primary care.