The experiences of telepractice nurses undertaking a vocational audiological rehabilitation program

Abstract

Objective

In response to modest outcomes in the field of vocational audiological rehabilitation, we examined the mechanism by which a group of workers with hearing challenges engaged with such a program.

Design

Telepractice nurses with hearing challenges participated in a four-session, online course teaching evidence-based communication strategies. Using multiple case study methodology, we collected ethnographic interviews, surveys, and discussion-forum comments before, during, and after the program. We applied grounded theory to these data sources to develop an across-case model of nurses’ engagement with the strategies presented.

Study Sample

Twelve female nurses made up the study’s twelve cases.

Results

Nurses undertook a problem-solving process in response to the presented strategies. They evaluated strategies based on perceived benefits and obstacles to implementation. Nurses took steps to incorporate promising strategies into their unique work contexts’, but not all completed the problem-solving process required to do so.

Conclusions

Participants needed to problem solve to implement course strategies in the workplace. This process was effortful and not always successful. We conclude that future interventions in the field of vocational audiological rehabilitation may benefit workers by actively supporting their problem-solving processes.

Keywords:

• Psycho-social/Emotional
• tele-audiology/tele-health
• aural rehabilitation
• work

Acknowledgements

The authors thank our colleagues, Dr. Margaret Cheesman from Western University’s National Centre for Audiology and Dr. Michael Rouse from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted completion of this research.

Ethical approval

Approval for this research was provided by Western University’s Research Ethics Board. Informed consent was gained from all participants.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Authors' Note

We dedicate this paper to the memory of the late Mary Beth Jennings. As the primary thesis supervisor for Raphaelle Koerber, her contributions to the project were significant.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Mitacs Accelerate Grant, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and internal funding from The University of Western Ontario’s Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.