A Novel Way to Educate Families About Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Illnesses

Viewing a brief animated video successfully reduced parents' interest in receiving an antibiotic for their child's acute respiratory tract illness.

Parents' expectations for their child to receive unnecessary antibiotics for acute respiratory tract illnesses (ARTIs; cough, congestion, sore throat, and earache) is a common challenge in pediatric offices. Researchers at two practices (one academic, one community) in Missouri surveyed a diverse group of 1051 parents about their knowledge of and interest in receiving antibiotics for their children 1 to 5 years of age with ARTIs. Surveys were conducted before and after parents watched a professionally created 90-second cartoon (in both English and Spanish) promoting the cautious use of antibiotics and showing successful recovery without them in a toddler character.

At baseline, 28% of parents rated high interest in receiving an antibiotic (s…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

A Novel Way to Educate Families About Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Illnesses

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Reviewing Author