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- Page navigation anchor for Complex landscape of respiratory infection assessments for parents and professionalsComplex landscape of respiratory infection assessments for parents and professionals
Newbould et al’s review of respiratory infections in children is highly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic when many GP consultations are conducted by phone. The study explores when to care for a child at home, or seek medical input. The findings could potentially be converted into a calculator (as clinicians use the FeverPain clinical score for children from 3 years old) or a leaflet for families (like the resources available at www.WhenShouldIWorry.com (WSIW)). However, comparing these resources reveals apparently conflicting criteria if the context is not understood.
One parent dismissed my explanation of why antibiotics were not required for her child’s sore throat after watching me typing details into the FeverPain website (https://ctu1.phc.ox.ac.uk/feverpain/index.php) to estimate risk of streptococcal infection. She bundled up her child and bustled out of the surgery, complaining that she would just check Google. WSIW resources, commonly used in GP surgeries and emergency departments, are useful in explaining to parents why their child does not require antibiotics, and to provide safety netting advice. Parents may find either the FeverPain, and WSIW websites when exploring options for a child with respiratory symptoms. The abstract to Newbould et al’s study will also no doubt appear in future Googl...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.