Robert H Eikelboom1,2,3, Rebecca J Bennett1,2, Vinay Manchaiah4, Bhavisha Parmar5, Eldré Beukes6,7, Saima L Rajasingam7, De Wet Swanepoel1,3. 1. Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. 2. Ear Sciences Centre, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia. 3. Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. 4. Department of Speech and Hearing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. 5. UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, UK. 6. Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA. 7. Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Group, School of Psychology and Sports Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes of audiologists towards telehealth and use of telehealth for the delivery of ear and hearing services pre-, during- and post- the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the perceived effects of telehealth on services and barriers to telehealth. DESIGN: An online survey distributed through the International Society of Audiology and member societies. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 337 audiologists completing the survey between 23 June and 13 August 2020. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the perceived importance of telehealth from before (44.3%) to during COVID-19 (87.1%), and the use of telehealth previous (41.3%), current (61.9%) and expected use of telehealth (80.4%). Telehealth was considered adequate for many audiology services, although hearing assessment and device fitting by telehealth received least support. Matters related to timeliness of services and reduction of travel were reported as the main advantages, but relationships between practitioners and clients may suffer with telehealth. Important barriers were technologies related to the client or remote site; clinic-related items were moderate barriers, although more clinician training was a common theme provided through open-ended responses. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in audiologists having a more positive attitude towards and greater use of telehealth, but with some reservations.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes of audiologists towards telehealth and use of telehealth for the delivery of ear and hearing services pre-, during- and post- the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the perceived effects of telehealth on services and barriers to telehealth. DESIGN: An online survey distributed through the International Society of Audiology and member societies. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 337 audiologists completing the survey between 23 June and 13 August 2020. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the perceived importance of telehealth from before (44.3%) to during COVID-19 (87.1%), and the use of telehealth previous (41.3%), current (61.9%) and expected use of telehealth (80.4%). Telehealth was considered adequate for many audiology services, although hearing assessment and device fitting by telehealth received least support. Matters related to timeliness of services and reduction of travel were reported as the main advantages, but relationships between practitioners and clients may suffer with telehealth. Important barriers were technologies related to the client or remote site; clinic-related items were moderate barriers, although more clinician training was a common theme provided through open-ended responses. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in audiologists having a more positive attitude towards and greater use of telehealth, but with some reservations.
Authors: Aaqilah Bhamjee; Talita le Roux; De Wet Swanepoel; Marien Alet Graham; Kurt Schlemmer; Faheema Mahomed-Asmail Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-24 Impact factor: 4.614