Shared Decision Making in Parents of Children With Acute Otitis Media

The Investigators long-term goal is to promote evidence-based, patient-centered evaluation in the acute care setting to more closely tailor antibiotic use to disease risk for Acute Otitis Media (AOM) in children.

The Investigator will conduct a single-center cluster randomized control trial comparing the efficacy, safety and patient-centered outcomes of the shared decision-making decision aid 'Acute Otitis Media Choice' to usual care among children diagnosed with acute otitis media in the ED for whom antibiotics are being considered to engage parents in shared decision-making.

Inclusion:

• 6 months to 18 years in age
• Acute Otitis Media diagnosed (AOM) at the time of visit, defined as:

• Middle Ear Effusion- demonstrated by pneumatic otoscopy, air fluid level, or a bulging tympanic membrane PLUS
• Evidence of Acute Inflammation- opaque, white, yellow, or erythematous tympanic membrane or purulent effusion PLUS
• Symptoms of otalgia, fussiness or fever

Exclusion:

• Are currently on antibiotics
• Have acute otitis media and another diagnoses that antibiotics are prescribed for
• Have otitis-conjunctivitis syndrome
• Have perforation of their tympanic membrane at time of diagnoses
• Recurrent AOM defined as:

• ≥3 or greater separate AOM episodes in the previous 6 months or
• ≥4 or more greater AOM episodes in the previous 12 months with one in the last 6 months
• Have a craniofacial abnormality
• Have had previous ear tubes placed
• Have an immunologic disorder
• Are immunosuppression either by disease or medication
• Are undergoing treatment for cancer :