PITTSBURGH Oct. 9, 2006 A Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh pediatrician is leading national efforts to improve the diagnosis and treatment of one of the most common infections of childhood through innovate training methods.
Middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media (AOM), is the pediatric illness for which antibiotics are most often prescribed. Three out of four children will experience an ear infection by age 3. However, diagnosis remains difficult and experts often are divided on treatment options, according to Alejandro Hoberman, MD, chief of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics at Children's.
Dr. Hoberman will lead a unique and interactive discussion on how to accurately diagnose and treat AOM at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, at Children's. His presentation is titled "Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Otitis Media: Can We Agree?"
His dynamic presentation will involve active participation by audience members and include discussion on adequate diagnosis and treatment. The Continuing Medical Education (CME) event also will be available via live Web cast through Children's Web site at www.chp.edu.
"Ear infections affect the vast majority of children, yet they can be difficult to diagnose and clinicians not always agree on adequate treatment. Experts remained divided between the so-called 'watchful waiting' approach and treatment with antibiotics," said Dr. Hoberman, also the Jack L. Paradise Endowed Professor in Pediatric Research at Children's and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Our projects will help improve accuracy in making the diagnosis and help determine which treatment approach works best."
Dr. Hoberman's research contributions include various randomized clinical trials evaluating diagnosis, management and prevention of AOM. He has developed multimedia educational programs aimed at improving diagnost
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Contact: Marc Lukasiak
marc.lukasiak@chp.edu
412-692-5016
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
9-Oct-2006