Parental experiences and opinions regarding the management of acute otitis media in Finland—a comparative questionnaire between 2006 and 2019

Treatment guidelines for acute otitis media (AOM) have changed over the past 20 years. Watchful waiting is often recommended as an option for antibiotic treatment and the use of proper pain medication is emphasised.To study parental experiences and opinions regarding the management of AOM and compare our findings with our previous questionnaire submitted in 2006.We sent an online survey link through day-care centres and Facebook parental groups in Turku area. Children <4 years of age attending day care were included in the analysis. We asked about the child's history of AOM, parental opinions about AOM treatment, and antibiotic resistance. Results of 2019 were compared with those of 2006.Altogether 84% (320/381) and 83% (568/681) of children had had at least 1 episode of AOM in 2019 and 2006, respectively. In 2019, more children had been treated without antibiotics (30% vs. 13%, P < 0.001) and fewer parents thought that antibiotics are necessary for the treatment of AOM (70% vs. 85%, P < 0.001) compared with 2006. The use and knowledge of painkillers had increased over the past 13 years. Painkillers had been given at least once to 93% (296/320) of children in 2019 and 80% (441/552) of children in 2006 (P < 0.001).Today, more parents accept watchful waiting as a treatment option for AOM and give painkillers to their children, which indicates that the education about optimal management of AOM has reached parents.Ear infection, or acute otitis media (AOM), is one of the most common infections in young children. Studies have shown that antibiotics are effective in treating AOM, but some children may recover well without antibiotics. Antibiotic use may cause adverse events and increase bacterial resistance. We asked Finnish parents for their experiences and opinions regarding AOM management. We sent the same questionnaire in 2006 and 2019 and compared the responses. We found that more children had been treated without antibiotics in 2019, which is in line with the changes in clinical practice guidelines. We also found that parents had given painkillers more often in 2019 than in 2006.