The Impact of Waiting Times on Behavioral Outcomes for Children with Otitis Media: Results from an Urban Ear, Nose, and Throat Telehealth Service.

Children with recurrent and persistent OM referred to ENT outpatient care were found to have significantly more behavioral difficulties if their waiting times exceeded the recommended timeframes for their triaged referrals. Additionally, they experienced more internalizing problems that correlated with longer waiting times. This highlights the calls for alterations in current clinical practice given the lengthy waiting times in Australia's public hospitals.