In a recent commentary, R.A.M.J. Damoiseaux1 misquotes the guideline for the treatment of otitis media that has been endorsed by the Guidelines Advisory Committee (GAC) of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ontario Medical Association.
The article states that the GAC “advises using antibiotics to treat any symptomatic episode of acute otitis media.” In fact, the GAC-endorsed guideline2 also recommends watchful waiting, among other options. Furthermore, the GAC “guideline note” on this subject points to the degree to which clinicians underestimate the natural history of this condition and the marginal impact of antibiotics on outcomes.3
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None declared.
References
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