Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services
The public health challenge of hearing impairment is growing, as age is the major determinant of hearing loss. Almost one in four (22.6%) over 75-year olds reports moderate or severe worry because of hearing problems. There is a 40% comorbidity of tinnitus and balance disorders. Good outcomes depend...
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2012-01-01
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Series: | International Journal of Otolaryngology |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/290291 |
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doaj-5ef22acd99d24ab09b94a6c05c404e122020-11-24T23:06:29ZengHindawi LimitedInternational Journal of Otolaryngology1687-92011687-921X2012-01-01201210.1155/2012/290291290291Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology ServicesAdrian Davis0Pauline A. Smith1Michelle Booth2Margaret Martin3Department of Health, Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Programme, and Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, MRC Hearing and Communication Group, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, 344-354 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8BP, UKHearing Services Department, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UKDepartment of Audiology, Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Road, Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 4JL, UKMRC Hearing & Communication Group, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, 344-354 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8BP, UKThe public health challenge of hearing impairment is growing, as age is the major determinant of hearing loss. Almost one in four (22.6%) over 75-year olds reports moderate or severe worry because of hearing problems. There is a 40% comorbidity of tinnitus and balance disorders. Good outcomes depend on early presentation and appropriate referral. This paper describes how the NHS Improvement Programme in England used service improvement methodologies to identify referral pathways and tools which were most likely to make significant improvements in diagnosing hearing loss, effective referrals and better patient outcomes. An audiometric screening device was used in GP surgeries to enable thresholds for effective referrals to be measured in the surgery. Revised referral criteria, the use of this device, new “assess and fit” technology in the audiology clinic, and direct access pathways can transform audiology service delivery so that patient outcomes are measurably better. This, in turn, changes the experience of GPs, so they are more likely to refer patients who can benefit from treatment. At the end of 2011, 51 GP practices in one of the audiology pilot areas had bought HearCheck screeners, a substantial development from the 4 practices who first engaged with the pilot.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/290291 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Adrian Davis Pauline A. Smith Michelle Booth Margaret Martin |
spellingShingle |
Adrian Davis Pauline A. Smith Michelle Booth Margaret Martin Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services International Journal of Otolaryngology |
author_facet |
Adrian Davis Pauline A. Smith Michelle Booth Margaret Martin |
author_sort |
Adrian Davis |
title |
Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services |
title_short |
Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services |
title_full |
Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services |
title_fullStr |
Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services |
title_full_unstemmed |
Diagnosing Patients with Age-Related Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: Supporting GP Clinical Engagement through Innovation and Pathway Redesign in Audiology Services |
title_sort |
diagnosing patients with age-related hearing loss and tinnitus: supporting gp clinical engagement through innovation and pathway redesign in audiology services |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
International Journal of Otolaryngology |
issn |
1687-9201 1687-921X |
publishDate |
2012-01-01 |
description |
The public health challenge of hearing impairment is growing, as age is the major determinant of hearing loss. Almost one in four (22.6%) over 75-year olds reports moderate or severe worry because of hearing problems. There is a 40% comorbidity of tinnitus and balance disorders. Good outcomes depend on early presentation and appropriate referral. This paper describes how the NHS Improvement Programme in England used service improvement methodologies to identify referral pathways and tools which were most likely to make significant improvements in diagnosing hearing loss, effective referrals and better patient outcomes. An audiometric screening device was used in GP surgeries to enable thresholds for effective referrals to be measured in the surgery. Revised referral criteria, the use of this device, new “assess and fit” technology in the audiology clinic, and direct access pathways can transform audiology service delivery so that patient outcomes are measurably better. This, in turn, changes the experience of GPs, so they are more likely to refer patients who can benefit from treatment. At the end of 2011, 51 GP practices in one of the audiology pilot areas had bought HearCheck screeners, a substantial development from the 4 practices who first engaged with the pilot. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/290291 |
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