Table 2 Test-retest reliability using Cohen κ statistic

Not all variables were analyzed. Those that were deemed on visual inspection to have a very high level of agreement were excluded and only those test-retest responses that appeared discordant were analyzed.

CATEGORYITEMκINTERPRETATION*
AOM agentViral agents0.63GOOD
Moxarella catarrhalis0.74GOOD
AOM risk factorAge > 3 y0.60GOOD
Male sex0.12POOR
Family history of otitis media0.29POOR
AOM signOpacity0.78GOOD
Presence of light reflex0.23POOR
OME symptomPoor appetite0.82VERY GOOD
Purulent drainage0.81VERY GOOD
Stomach pain0.58GOOD
Lethargy0.90VERY GOOD
OME signRedness0.33FAIR
Location of light reflex0.70GOOD
Bulging eardrum0.38FAIR
Retracted eardrum0.29POOR
Opacity0.38FAIR
Presence of light reflex0.12POOR
AOM managementAntimicrobial therapy0.48GOOD
Office equipmentRubber bulb1.00VERY GOOD
Use of POPO always0.41GOOD
PO only if retracted0.63GOOD
PO only if bulging0.47GOOD
PO only if red0.65GOOD
PO never0.76GOOD
Training adequacyOtoscopic examination0.51GOOD
Use of PO0.80VERY GOOD
  • * A κ of 0.00–0.29 represents poor test-retest reliability; 0.30–0.39 is fair; 0.40–0.79 is good; 0.80–1.00 is very good.

  • AOM—acute otitis media, OME—otitis media with effusion, PO—pneumatic otoscopy.