ATTITUDE AND KNOWLEDGE OF SAUDI PEDIATRICIANS OF THE GUIDELINES FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA AND OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION: A NATIONAL SURVEY

Background: Historically, acute otitis media (AOM) had been the most common complaint of parents bringing preschool age children to physicians for urgent assessment and treatment. In 2013 and 2016 the clinical guidelines related to the treatment of acute otitis media (AOM) without complications, and guidelines related to otitis media with effusion, were updated. Adoption of these guidelines by pediatricians is critical. As the issue is not only increased costs of care, but also contributing to antibiotic resistance strains of bacteria as well as negative outcomes that can include permanent or temporary hearing loss, impacts on the development, and risks of infection. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the attitude and knowledge of Saudi pediatricians about the clinical guidelines regarding the diagnosis and management of acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion in pediatric medicine. The objective was to develop an understanding of potential areas of strength and weakness in relation continuous improvement of health care through better patient safety and quality of care. Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional design tested and captured attitudes and knowledge using two separately administered questionnaires. The questionnaires included demographic questions, and statements that participants responded to on a five-point Likert scale to indicate their level of agreement. The sample was composed of 358 Saudi pediatricians from 32 hospitals in 13 cities in Saudi Arabia. Results: The results of this study included a wide variation of attitudes with fairly even distribution between negative and positive attitudes towards clinical guidelines, along with a knowledge score of the clinical guidelines that was below 50% in every category of role, gender and facility. Conclusion: our study revealed low knowledge of Saudi pediatricians about the guidelines for diagnosis and management of acute otitis media and detected that their opinions vary widely regarding the importance of guidelines. The general attitude reflects a lack of interest and belief in the use of evidence-based guidelines. Keywords: knowledge, otitis media, effusion, pediatricians, guidelines