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A qualitative study showing that a telecare tool can have benefits before and during the initial hearing assessment appointment

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journal contribution
posted on 2022-02-23, 16:29 authored by Eithne Heffernan, David MaidmentDavid Maidment, Melanie A. Ferguson

Objective: To examine patient and audiologist experiences and perspectives of using a patient-centred telecare tool, the Ida Institute’s Why Improve My Hearing? (WIMH) Tool, before and during the initial hearing assessment appointment.

Design: A qualitative study comprising individual semi-structured interviews using a maximum variation sampling strategy. The data were analysed using an established thematic analysis technique.

Study sample: Fifteen participants, including ten patients (i.e. adults with hearing loss) and five audiologists, were recruited from Adult Audiology Services within the United Kingdom’s publicly-funded National Health Service (NHS).

Results: Three themes described the impact of using the WIMH Tool. Theme 1 (i.e. enhanced preparation before the appointment): the Tool helps patients to better understand and accept their hearing difficulties in advance of their first appointment. Theme 2 (i.e. enriched discussion during the appointment): the tool can enhance patient-centred communication, as well as the efficiency of the appointment. Theme 3 (i.e. varied impact on outcomes following the appointment): the Tool can improve patient motivation, readiness, and involvement in decision-making, though it may have limited impact on additional outcomes, such as adherence.

Conclusion: The WIMH Tool can be successfully implemented in audiological practice, resulting in benefits before and during the initial hearing assessment appointment.

Funding

Ida Institute

NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre

History

School

  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Published in

International Journal of Audiology

Volume

62

Issue

4

Pages

295-303

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publisher statement

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Audiology on 23 Feb 2022, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14992027.2022.2041740.

Acceptance date

2022-02-08

Publication date

2022-02-23

ISSN

1499-2027

eISSN

1708-8186

Language

  • en

Depositor

Dr David Maidment. Deposit date: 8 February 2022

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