The study will assess families' perspectives and decision-making regarding the duration of oral antibiotic courses prescribed to children (4-17 years) who present with uncomplicated bacterial infections at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Emergency Department (ED). The study will involve (i) children discharged from ED on oral antibiotics and (ii) children transferred to Hospital-in-the-Home (HITH) on IV antibiotics who then switch to oral antibiotics. In addition, the study will assess how feasible and acceptable it is to track children's symptoms via the Garmin Smartwatch and the WeGuide platform (WeGuide is a patient engagement software platform that allows for enrolment, consent, and data collection \[via questionnaires/surveys and from the Garmin Smartwatches\] through a singular platform).
Between the ages of ≥ 4 years and ≤ 17 years at enrolment.
Diagnosed with any of the following at RCH ED: urinary tract infection (UTI), cellulitis, impetigo, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, respiratory tract infections, otitis media.
Prescribed oral antibiotics (either immediately or as switch from IV antibiotics after transfer to HITH) as standard of care due to having uncomplicated infection as deemed by their treating doctor.
Parent/guardian provides a signed and dated informed consent form.
None
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Lead sponsor
Royal Children's Hospital
Collaborator