Although referrals are generally not required for a hearing assessment, primary care providers (PCPs), are often the first point of contact for adults with hearing concerns. Additionally, PCPs are well-positioned to be the ones to notice hearing loss. However, systemic barriers and knowledge and attitudes can prevent the PCP from encouraging patients to further seek care from audiologists.
Our research team (UBC and Wavefront Centre) collected data via a literature review, a survey of BC-based family doctors and nurse practitioners, and focus groups for hard-of-hearing individuals, hearing health practitioners, and PCPs. The purpose was to identify the role of PCPs in hearing care, identify essential and effective messaging to share with PCPs, and learn about barriers and facilitators to PCP participation in the hearing health of their patients.
We found that PCPs hold an important role in promoting hearing healthcare for older adults, yet they encounter multiple barriers to providing optimal hearing health. We identified recommendations for promoting hearing health by PCPs.
I will share the results of our research and discuss the evidence-based approach we developed to maximize our reach to primary care providers to help them become key instigators for increased, timely uptake of hearing health care by adults with hearing concerns.
Funded by Michael Smith Health Research BC and Vancouver Foundation.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the role of primary care providers as agents of change for patients seeking hearing healthcare
- Identify barriers to promoting hearing healthcare for older adults in primary care
- Identify practices to promote hearing healthcare access in primary care
