Table 2.

Pharmacists clinical impressions and recommendations for presenting complaints

Clinical impression		Recommendation
Normal ear	8 (15%)	No treatment	7
Wax impaction	21 (38%)	OTC products	36
Otitis externa	3 (5%)	Referral to GP	14
Otitis media	6 (11%)	Other	7
Other	4 (7%)
Unsure	13 (24%)

Other clinical impressions: ruptured ear drum,³ poor compliance of tympanic membrane,¹ sinus congestion.¹ Some participants received more than one recommendation.

GP, general practitioner; OTC, over-the-counter.