Enhanced Telemedicine for Acute Respiratory Tract Infections
(Tele-PARTI Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Young children often receive antibiotics for pediatric acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) - common childhood diagnoses like ear infections, strep throat, sinusitis, and colds - but many of these antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily for viral infections, where antibiotics will not help. Helping families and pediatricians to evaluate children with ARTIs through primary care telemedicine visits using at-home tele-otoscopes vs. at-home eBooks could help reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure in children. In this clinical trial, the investigators will assess the impact of at-home tele-otoscope vs. eBook enabled primary care telemedicine on antibiotic use, healthcare utilization, and healthcare costs for young children.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Kristin Ray, MD, MS
Principal Investigator
University of Pittsburgh
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for families with young children who have symptoms of common respiratory infections like ear infections, sore throat, or colds. Children must be able to participate in telemedicine visits from home.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive either a tele-otoscope or an eBook for managing pediatric ARTIs through telemedicine
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for antibiotic use, healthcare utilization, and costs
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Trial Overview
The study compares two ways of doing telemedicine for kids with respiratory infections: one uses a special at-home camera (tele-otoscope) to look inside the ear during virtual doctor visits; the other uses educational eBooks during these visits.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Children randomized to the experimental arm will receive a tele- otoscope and ear irrigation device (to assist cerumen removal if needed); parents will be trained on the use of these devices. Parents will be asked to download the tele-otoscope app which will allow them to view and record from the tele-otoscope camera. These devices (tele-otoscope and ear irrigation device) are commercially available and their functionality is not being tested in this study.
Children randomized to the control arm will receive an eBook on baby and toddler care from the American Academy of Pediatrics. As in prior studies of tele-services, the investigators will provide the eBook as a "digital placebo." Thus, participants in both arms receive an electronic resource, but the eBook has limited content specific to ARTI care, such that it is not expected to significantly influence study outcomes.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Collaborator
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