A qualitative evaluation of pediatric conjunctivitis medical decision making and opportunities to improve care

Abstract

Acute infectious conjunctivitis is a common childhood illness, and the role of antibiotic treatment remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to describe the decision-making process providers use when managing infectious conjunctivitis, to identify factors that reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing, and to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced prescribing behavior. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 providers caring for children in primary care, urgent cares, and emergency departments in Denver, Colorado. Interviews were evaluated for major themes using deductive and inductive content analysis methods. Significant drivers for deciding to treat infectious conjunctivitis with antibiotics included patient's clinical presentation, family expectations, antibiotic stewardship concerns, etiological diagnostic uncertainty, and school/daycare policies. High variability existed in approaches used to distinguish viral from bacterial conjunctivitis. No providers were aware of pediatric treatment guidelines or standardized recommendations for return to school or daycare. Providers reported higher antibiotic prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors identified that could reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing included family education, a reliable diagnostic test to decrease diagnostic uncertainty, pediatric clinical guidelines, and standardizing exclusion policies for school/daycare. Management of pediatric infectious conjunctivitis is inconsistent. Creation of guidelines for the evaluation and management of infectious conjunctivitis in children could help reduce unnecessary prescribing and the burden for families and the health care system. In addition, updated guidelines for school/daycare exclusion may be important to establish streamlined and evidence-based exclusion practices.