A B S T R A C T PurposeOur primary objective was to describe and compare parents' and healthcare professionals' strength of preference scores for outpatient oral antibiotic relative to inpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment for low-risk febrile neutropenic children. Our secondary objective was to identify predictors of strength of preference for oral outpatient treatment. MethodsRespondents were parents of children receiving cancer chemotherapy, and pediatric oncology healthcare professionals. First, the inpatient and outpatient options were described, and the respondent indicated their initially preferred option. The respondent next ranked how important seven factors (including "fear/anxiety" and "comfort") were in making their initial choice. The threshold technique was then used to elicit the respondent's strength of preference score for oral outpatient, relative to parenteral inpatient management. ResultsThere were 75 parent and 42 healthcare-professional respondents. There was no significant difference (P ϭ .08) in the proportions of parents (40 of 75; 53%) and healthcare professionals (30 of 42; 71%) who initially would choose outpatient management. For parents, stronger preference for oral outpatient therapy was associated with higher anticipated quality of life for the parent and child at home relative to hospital, lower importance rank for "fear/anxiety," and higher importance rank for "comfort." Conversely, for professionals, only lower importance rank for "fear/anxiety" was associated with higher strength of preference scores for outpatient oral antibiotic management. ConclusionOnly 53% of parents would choose outpatient oral antibiotic management for low-risk febrile neutropenia. Predictors of strength of preference scores for outpatient oral antibiotic relative to inpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment differed between parent and professional respondents.

Three patients diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome were treated with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil, for periods of 6 to 8 months. Cognitive testing [Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Clock drawing test and six item 2 min recall] and carer questionnaires [Informant Questionnaire (IQ Code), Neuropsychiatric inventory scale (NPI)] were performed at baseline, mid- and endpoint of the treatment period and post-discontinuation. Progressive partial improvement occurred in cognitive measurements through the treatment period, some of which was sustained after discontinuing donepezil. Carer questionnaires also indicated improvement. Confounding factors necessitate caution when attributing improvements to the medication, but these cases suggest that this option merits further investigation.

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