The Impact of Ear Pain Anticipatory Guidance Counseling on Otitis Related Visits in a Low Income Population

Importance: Ear pain is a frequent reason for pediatric visits. Objective: To determine if a program of anticipatory guidance counseling for ear pain at the 12-15 month routine preventive care visit in a predominantly low income population can reduce medical visits to clinic, emergency department (ED), and urgent care (UC). Design: Single blind randomized control trial of an ear pain counseling program. Setting: The Child Health Clinic (CHC), a primary care clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, which serves a predominantly low income population with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Participants: 310 mothers were enrolled at their child's 12-15 month well child visit. Intervention: Structured 10-minute education intervention, given by a research assistant, used a slide presentation that reviewed ear pain Main Outcome and Measures: Number of ED, UC, and clinic visits for otitis media for the 12 month period after entry into the study and whether the visit included a prescription for antibiotics.