Is an advanced audiology-led service the solution to the paediatric ENT outpatient waiting list problem?

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The present study's objective was to predict the effect of an advanced audiology-led clinic on paediatric ENT outpatient waiting lists in a large secondary public hospital.

Methods: A retrospective, single observational study was performed to obtain data on all children referred for semi-urgent or routine ENT outpatient assessment over a six month period. Set criteria were used to calculate the proportion of new ENT referrals that could be eligible for a new advanced audiology-led clinic and the effect this could have on ENT outpatient referrals and capacity.

Results: Results indicated that 23% of all semi-urgent and routine paediatric ENT outpatient referrals were eligible for referral to an advanced audiology-led clinic, with 74% of these being from the semi-urgent category. Based on these data, an advanced audiology-led clinic was predicted to increase this facility's ENT outpatient capacity by 77%.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the introduction of an advanced audiology-led service could significantly reduce waiting lists and increase capacity in paediatric ENT outpatient services in the public healthcare system.

KEYWORDS:

• Audiology
• ENT
• outpatients
• advanced scope of practice
• waiting lists

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Allied Health Professions’ Office of Queensland (AHPOQ) for their initial financial support of this new advanced audiology-led service, and in particular acknowledge Professor Elizabeth Ward for her advice and assistance in the early stages of the development of this project. The authors also wish to thank Sally-Ann Schilt for her clinical input and oversight of the advanced audiology concept.

ORCID

Michelle A. Pokorny http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1780-2849

Wayne J. Wilson http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8141-5173

Peter R. Thorne http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0214-0210