Explain acute osteomyelitis management to a family — OSCE

Candidate brief

You have eight minutes to counsel the parents of a three-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with acute haematogenous osteomyelitis of the distal tibia. The diagnosis is confirmed by a magnetic resonance image showing marrow oedema. Blood cultures have been drawn and empirical intravenous antibiotics have been started. Use a structured, honest, empathic approach that explains the diagnosis in plain language, addresses the parents' fears and the playground-injury theory, outlines the intravenous-to-oral antibiotic strategy, and builds a shared plan for the hospital stay and the outpatient follow-up. ^{[1] [4]}