The Article in Brief

A study of acute otitis media (middle ear infection) in children was undertaken in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and North America (the United States and Canada) in the mid-1990s. Participating countries used different approaches to treating this condition: antibiotics were rarely used in the Netherlands but were used for 5 to 7 days in the United Kingdom, and for 10 days in North America. In spite of these differences in treatment, patients recovered in about the same amount of time. The study contributed to current approaches that encourage limited use of antibiotics in treating middle ear infection. Researchers also learned important lessons about the challenges of conducting international practice-based research, including the need for administrative skill and strong, trusting relationships among researchers.