Introduction of visually oriented information handouts in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice

To characterize after-hours postoperative caregiver telephone calls received by on-call otolaryngology residents and to determine the feasibility of using visually oriented handouts to affect postoperative telephone call volume.

We conducted a prospective, before-after feasibility study at a tertiary-care children's hospital. Visually oriented handouts describing expected postoperative courses were distributed preoperatively to the parents of all adenotonsillectomy and tympanostomy tube patients. Postoperative caregiver telephone call volume and content were recorded before and after handout introduction.

The handouts were well accepted and viewed favorably by caregivers, and they led to some changes in the nature of postoperative telephone call content, but call log compliance was not adequate to fully assess the impact on call volume and content.

We demonstrated the feasibility of implementing visually oriented informational handouts and characterized the nature of postoperative caregiver telephone calls received by on-call residents in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice.

Visually oriented instructional handouts may have benefits that deserve further study. Data from this study can help plan a definitive clinical trial.