TY - JOUR
T1 - Extended scope audiology clinic–a review of its outcomes and re-presentation to the ear nose and throat service
AU - Távora-Vieira, Dayse
AU - Bogdanov, Caris
AU - Berk, Daniel
AU - Voola, Marcus
AU - Choi, Robyn
AU - Kuthubutheen, Jafri
AU - Acharya, Aanand
PY - 2024/9/13
Y1 - 2024/9/13
N2 - Objective: To evaluate the role of Extended Scope (ES) audiologists in managing adult Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)/Otology waitlists and analyse patient re-presentation rate to the ENT service within 12 months of being discharged from the clinic. Design: A retrospective cohort study assessing the efficacy of ES audiologists, measuring the discharge rate from ENT waitlists, the rate of escalation to ENT care, and the rate and reasons for any re-presentations to care. Study sample: 394 adult patients. Results: Of the referred patients, 95% (n = 374) were deemed suitable for ES care. Of these, 75% were discharged without further ENT intervention, 20% required escalation to ENT, and 5% were returned to the waitlist. Only one patient re-presented for care within 12 months. The inclusion of patients with CHL/MHL and vestibular symptoms marked an expansion from our previous work. The re-presentation rate was notably lower compared to other allied health ES clinics. Conclusion: The ES Audiology clinic demonstrates a high discharge rate with a low incidence of patient re-presentation, highlighting the ES audiologists’ efficiency in managing non-urgent ENT cases. The study supports the continued use and expansion of ES roles to ensuring timely and quality care for patients on ENT waitlists.
AB - Objective: To evaluate the role of Extended Scope (ES) audiologists in managing adult Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)/Otology waitlists and analyse patient re-presentation rate to the ENT service within 12 months of being discharged from the clinic. Design: A retrospective cohort study assessing the efficacy of ES audiologists, measuring the discharge rate from ENT waitlists, the rate of escalation to ENT care, and the rate and reasons for any re-presentations to care. Study sample: 394 adult patients. Results: Of the referred patients, 95% (n = 374) were deemed suitable for ES care. Of these, 75% were discharged without further ENT intervention, 20% required escalation to ENT, and 5% were returned to the waitlist. Only one patient re-presented for care within 12 months. The inclusion of patients with CHL/MHL and vestibular symptoms marked an expansion from our previous work. The re-presentation rate was notably lower compared to other allied health ES clinics. Conclusion: The ES Audiology clinic demonstrates a high discharge rate with a low incidence of patient re-presentation, highlighting the ES audiologists’ efficiency in managing non-urgent ENT cases. The study supports the continued use and expansion of ES roles to ensuring timely and quality care for patients on ENT waitlists.
KW - advanced scope
KW - ENT
KW - Extended scope audiology
KW - waitlist
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204000160&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14992027.2024.2397063
DO - 10.1080/14992027.2024.2397063
M3 - Article
C2 - 39268936
AN - SCOPUS:85204000160
SN - 1499-2027
JO - International Journal of Audiology
JF - International Journal of Audiology
ER -