Sucher Catherine, Norman Richard, Chaffey Emma, Bennett Rebecca, Ferguson Melanie
Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 3;20(6):e0320421. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320421. eCollection 2025.
The opportunity to assess cochlear implant outcomes remotely provides the potential to streamline delivery of care for cochlear implant users. However, the conditions required for its implementation into clinic systems must be fully understood to ensure success and sustainability. The objectives of this study were to (i) use a discrete choice experiment quantify the preferences of cochlear implant users when considering use of Cochlear Remote CheckTM, a remote assessment service, and (ii) explore the perceptions, insights and attitudes of CI users that may influence utilisation of a remote service.
A discrete choice experiment was administrated to Australian adult cochlear implant users via an online survey. Participants chose between pairs of hypothetical clinical service options for three different clinical scenarios (acute care, troubleshooting and long-term review). Participants answered a series of questions focusing on how and when remote services should be discussed and offered within their hearing journey.
A total of 124 adult cochlear implant users completed the survey. Conditional logit analysis revealed the strongest participant preference was clinician continuity for assessment review, followed by low service costs. They preferred to receive assessment results within one week of completion, but not by videoconference/call in the acute care scenario. Only 12% of participants preferred in-clinic visits for all scenarios. Notably, 100% of participants felt that cochlear implant users should be made aware of remote service opportunities available to them.
Study participants placed high importance on clinician continuity, but preferences for timing and delivery of results were less pronounced. This information can help to inform customisation of remote services by individual clinics. Costs and payment infrastructure for providing remote care require careful consideration. Whilst there is an appetite for use of Remote CheckTM alongside clinic visits, it is not suitable for, nor preferred by, all cochlear implant users.
远程评估人工耳蜗植入效果为优化人工耳蜗使用者的护理服务提供了可能。然而，要确保其在临床系统中成功实施并持续开展，必须充分了解实施所需的条件。本研究的目的是：（i）运用离散选择实验，量化人工耳蜗使用者在考虑使用远程评估服务Cochlear Remote CheckTM时的偏好；（ii）探究可能影响远程服务使用的人工耳蜗使用者的看法、见解和态度。
通过在线调查对澳大利亚成年人工耳蜗使用者进行离散选择实验。参与者在三种不同临床场景（急性护理、故障排除和长期复查）的假设临床服务选项对中进行选择。参与者回答了一系列问题，重点关注在其听力康复过程中应如何以及何时讨论和提供远程服务。
共有124名成年人工耳蜗使用者完成了调查。条件logit分析显示，参与者最强烈的偏好是评估复查时临床医生的连续性，其次是低服务成本。他们希望在完成评估后一周内收到结果，但在急性护理场景中不希望通过视频会议/电话接收。只有12%的参与者在所有场景中都更喜欢门诊就诊。值得注意的是，100%的参与者认为应该让人工耳蜗使用者了解他们可获得的远程服务机会。
研究参与者高度重视临床医生的连续性，但对结果的时间和交付方式的偏好不太明显。这些信息有助于各诊所定制远程服务。提供远程护理的成本和支付基础设施需要仔细考虑。虽然有人希望在门诊就诊的同时使用Remote CheckTM，但并非所有人工耳蜗使用者都适合或喜欢使用它。
