Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Acute Otitis Media

Caroline Paul Otoscope Ear Exam

Definition

Acute Otitis Media (AOM) occurs with the rapid onset of signs and symptoms of inflammation in the middle ear. For pediatric clinical purposes, it is generally a bacterial infection that involves the middle ear. The tympanic membrane becomes inflamed and opaque. Blood vessels to the area dilate. Fluid accumulates in the middle ear space. AOM is usually associated with infection by viruses or bacteria, although in some cases, an infecting pathogen cannot be identified.

Goals

To improve the learning of the pediatric ear exam and the diagnosis and management of Acute Otitis Media (AOM) in different educational settings. The content of the website is to provide pertinent learner groups as well as to faculty. Content will relate to the stated objectives for each group.

  • Medical students
  • Residents
  • Faculty

Target Learners:

  • Medical students
  • Residents

Specific Objectives

Learner will:

  1. Describe essential features of the history in a child with suspected AOM
  2. List the criteria required for the diagnosis of AOM
  3. Describe the difference between Acute Otitis Media and Otitis Media with Effusion, and accurately differentiate between the two with the use of validated images.
  4. Demonstrate the proper approach to the pediatric ear exam
  5. Demonstrate proper technique in evaluating the appearance of the tympanic membrane
  6. Demonstrate proper technique in evaluating the presence/absence of a middle ear effusion
  7. Based on current guidelines, describe the therapeutic approach to uncomplicated AOM
  8. Access the current literature on Acute Otitis Media

Learner will:

  1. Describe essential features of the history in a child with suspected AOM
  2. List the criteria required for the diagnosis of AOM
  3. Describe the difference between Acute Otitis Media and Otitis Media with Effusion, and accurately differentiate between the two with the use of validated images.
  4. Demonstrate the proper approach to the pediatric ear exam
  5. Demonstrate proper technique in evaluating the appearance of the tympanic membrane
  6. Demonstrate proper technique in evaluating the presence/absence of a middle ear effusion
  7. Based on current guidelines, describe the therapeutic approach to AOM
  8. Demonstrate proper techniques in the removal of cerumen
  9. Demonstrate proper techniques for pneumatic otoscopy
  10. Explain how tympanometry works and interpret a tympanogram
  11. Access the current literature on Acute Otitis Media

Faculty will:

  1. Acquire strategies to teach different elements of pediatric otoscopy in patient care settings
    1. Access to sample teaching sessions
    2. Demonstration on how to teach with real patients in real-time settings
    3. Use of a checklist to evaluate learner skills
    4. Use of New England Journal of Medicine videos
  2. Explain the diagnostic criteria for AOM
  3. Explain therapeutic approach to AOM (epidemiology, microbiology, judicious use of antibiotics, and shared decision making with the parent)
  4. Practice using outcome measures for assessment/evaluation of their targeted learners.
    1. Pretest/Posttest
    2. Images: tympanic membrane, tympanogram.
    3. Pneumatic otoscopy videos
    4. Use case examples to teach key concepts in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Acute Otitis Media.
    5. Use a checklist to evaluate learner skills
    6. Access the literature on Acute Otitis Media
    7. Conduct an AOM workshop for your residents and students