The authors present a qualitative study. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit physicians or advanced practitioners for paediatric care in emergency, urgent or primary care settings. Semi-structured interviews were either held in-person or by telephone. All participants recruited commonly encountered infectious conjunctivitis and 90% express they were comfortable using supportive care as a management strategy when indicated. Twenty interviews were required to meet the pre-specified definition of data saturation. The authors report the identification of five themes: 1) clinical presentation, 2) expectations of family, 3) antibiotic stewardship concerns, 4) uncertainty of diagnosis and 5) policies of school / daycare. Current provision of care is variable. The themes were all key drivers for antibiotic prescribing for conjunctivitis. Suggestions including family education, standardisation of school policies, increased availability of diagnostic tests and development of clinical guidelines could reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for conjunctivitis.
Care providers view on how to improve care for paediatric conjunctivitis
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth
A qualitative evaluation of pediatric conjunctivitis medical decision making and opportunities to improve care.
CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren R Hepworth
University of Liverpool; Honorary Stroke Specialist Clinical Orthoptist, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; St Helen’s and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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