Effectiveness of a parental educational intervention in reducing antibiotic use in children: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether an educational intervention aimed at parents leads to fewer antibiotic prescriptions for their children.

Design: Placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Offices of primary care pediatricians who are members of a regional practice-based research network.

Effectiveness of an educational intervention in modifying parental attitudes about antibiotic usage in children.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of educational materials in improving the attitudes of parents of young children about the judicious use of antibiotics.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial by recruiting parents of children who were younger than 24 months and being seen for any reason in primary care pediatric offices. At the time of enrollment, study parents indicated their level of agreement with 16 statements, including 9 statements about antibiotic usage and 7 about injury prevention.