Department of Health, Durban, South Africa; and, Discipline of Audiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
S Afr J Commun Disord. 2022 Sep 7;69(1):e1-e12. doi: 10.4102/sajcd.v69i1.868.
Counselling manages the psychosocial effects of presbycusis and associated tinnitus, which is best conducted through patient-centred care (PCC). However, there is a paucity of research on implementing PCC within audiology and on patients' perceptions of counselling practice, making the focus on patient benefit and satisfaction crucial. Furthermore, PCC has been documented to be suitable in addressing the psychosocial effects of hearing loss and associated tinnitus, as it focuses on the adult patient playing an integral part of the management processes, providing improved patient outcomes.
This study aimed to explore patients' perceptions of presbycusis and associated tinnitus counselling practices by audiologists within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Qualitative phenomenological semi-structured telephonic interviews were conducted through purposive sampling, consisting of seven patients with presbycusis and associated tinnitus who were recruited from private and public facilities in KZN. Data were analysed through hybrid thematic analysis following Braun and Clark's steps.
Six categories were identified: perceptions on counselling methods, efficacy and tools, audiological rehabilitative training, multicultural sensitivity, patient satisfaction and recommendations on improving counselling practices as PCC adaptation. Themes were then extracted from these categories. The overall outcome of the study found that patients had positive perceptions of methods and tools, and audiologists were viewed as adequately trained. Furthermore, they were satisfied and benefitted from counselling practices and found clinicians to be culturally sensitive in their practice. However, recommendations were made towards linguistic sensitivity and satisfaction evaluations.
Therefore, implementing PCC into counselling practice may achieve positive patient perceptions, thus highlighting the need to identify barriers and improve the implementation of PCC into practice, especially in resource-constrained contexts.
咨询可以管理 presbycusis 和相关耳鸣的心理社会影响，这最好通过以患者为中心的护理（PCC）来进行。然而，在听力学中实施 PCC 以及患者对咨询实践的看法方面的研究很少，因此关注患者的利益和满意度至关重要。此外，已经有文献记录 PCC 适用于解决听力损失和相关耳鸣的心理社会影响，因为它侧重于让成年患者成为管理过程的重要组成部分，从而提供更好的患者结果。
本研究旨在探讨夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省（KZN）的听力学家对 presbycusis 和相关耳鸣咨询实践的患者看法。
通过目的抽样进行定性现象学半结构式电话访谈，参与者为来自 KZN 的私人和公共设施的 7 名患有 presbycusis 和相关耳鸣的患者。数据通过混合主题分析进行分析，遵循 Braun 和 Clark 的步骤。
确定了六个类别：对咨询方法、疗效和工具、听觉康复培训、多元文化敏感性、患者满意度以及改善咨询实践的建议的看法，作为 PCC 的适应。然后从这些类别中提取主题。研究的总体结果发现，患者对方法和工具的看法是积极的，并且认为听力学家受过充分的培训。此外，他们对咨询实践感到满意并从中受益，并发现临床医生在实践中具有文化敏感性。但是，提出了语言敏感性和满意度评估的建议。
因此，将 PCC 纳入咨询实践可能会获得积极的患者看法，从而强调需要确定障碍并改善 PCC 在实践中的实施，特别是在资源有限的情况下。
