Table 1

Example of a vignette and visual analogue scales as presented to participating clinicians

Please examine the patient’s details given below and respond to the questions at the bottom of the page. These decisions need to be made based only on this information and without reference to other patients. Assume that these are the findings when you are assessing each child 30 min after a single dose of salbutamol by nebuliser.

Sample vignette			Range of characteristics of entire set
Also shown is the distribution of cue values in the entire set of 60 vignettes.
Age	1.0		Range: 1–14.9	Mean: 7.7
Inhaled steroids	None		None: 48	Low dose: 6; high dose: 6
Alertness	Normal		Normal: 39	Drowsy/agitated: 21
Respiratory rate	40		Range: 20–66	Mean: 46.7
Heart rate	92		Range: 80–156	Mean: 115.2
Dyspnoea	Mild		Mild: 6	Moderate: 41; severe: 13
Air entry	Good		Good: 25	Moderate/poor: 35
Wheeze	Mild		Mild/moderate: 43	Severe: 9; little heard: 8
Other sounds	None		None: 45	Coarse crepitations: 15
Temperature	36.5		Range: 36.5–39.5	Mean: 37.5
Cyanosis	None		None: 39	Slight/moderate: 21
Parental ability	High		Low: 21	Medium: 22; high: 17

Indicate your view on the following questions by drawing a short vertical line somewhere on the horizontal lines below, showing your strength of preference for the particular management option.

1. In your view, is a course of oral prednisolone indicated? (ie, to be commenced today)
Definitely not		Definitely yes



2. In your view, is a course of antibiotics indicated? (ie, to be commenced today)
Definitely not		Definitely yes



3. In your view, does this child require admission to hospital?
Home management		Admit