PUBLIC OPINION REQUESTED. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED!
Has your child had ear infections? Has she or he ever had ear tubes? Have you ever known of someone else’s child who has? Chances are that you can answer at least one of these questions with a resounding “Yes!”
Okay, with your expertise now established, let me ask you a few additional questions? What was your experience? What did you learn? Do you have an opinion?
Most people do have an opinion. And now you have an opportunity to make your opinions known to the group that has the responsibility for putting out responsible guidelines for the care of children who may benefit from the insertion of ear tubes. This is something you cannot afford to pass up.
The American Academy of Otolaryngolgy-Head and Neck Surgery has created a portal so that the public can participate. Yes, you can comment on these guidelines. All you have to do is create an account, sign in, and participate.
Some people might think that the general public doesn’t have any role in this process. They might say, “What’s their medical background? Their clinical experience is limited to their own child. How well do they understand all the science and research? Can they really make a meaningful contribution?”
These are fair questions, but I am not one of those people. It has been my experience that the experience of most patients’ families (most of the patients are too young to give an opinion, but the older voices should be heard) are positive and their observations are helpful. And even when the comment may be somewhat off-base, even those comments help us to learn where the knowledge gap exists and then how it might be bridged.
As a member of the Academy, I am able to sign in and make my opinions known. I have gotten the link and will make sure I do it within the time fraome of January 7-January 18. I hope that any of you who have had experience (good or bad) with ear tubes will do all of us a favor and see what physicians are thinking about how to care for your child’s ears.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Next post: Your Child Can Have Ear Tubes Without General Anesthesia–What Else Is New in Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat?
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