Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia.
Ear Sciences Centre, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
Int J Audiol. 2022 Apr;61(4):283-292. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1957160. Epub 2021 Aug 9.
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.
An online survey distributed through the International Society of Audiology and member societies.
A total of 337 audiologists completing the survey between 23 June and 13 August 2020.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in audiologists having a more positive attitude towards and greater use of telehealth, but with some reservations.
确定听力学家在 COVID-19 大流行前后对远程医疗的态度以及将远程医疗用于提供耳部和听力服务的情况，并确定远程医疗对服务的感知效果和远程医疗的障碍。
通过国际听力协会及其成员协会分发的在线调查。
共有 337 名听力学家在 2020 年 6 月 23 日至 8 月 13 日期间完成了调查。
与大流行前（44.3%）相比，听力学家对远程医疗的重要性的看法显著增加（87.1%），而且远程医疗的使用也有所增加，之前（41.3%）、当前（61.9%）和预期使用（80.4%）。远程医疗被认为适合许多听力学服务，尽管通过远程医疗进行听力评估和设备适配的支持最少。与及时性和减少旅行相关的事项被报告为主要优势，但远程医疗可能会影响从业者和客户之间的关系。重要的障碍是与客户或远程站点相关的技术；与诊所相关的项目是中等障碍，尽管通过开放式回答提供了更多的临床医生培训是一个常见的主题。
COVID-19 大流行导致听力学家对远程医疗的态度更加积极，使用也更多，但仍有一些保留意见。
