GP Referral to Hearing Care Study

The Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, in conjunction with the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, is conducting a study investigating barriers and enablers to GP referrals to hearing care for older patients.

Age-related hearing loss occurs in approximately one third of patients over the age of 50 and is associated with significant impacts to health and quality of life. Timely diagnosis and rehabilitation has the potential to mitigate many of these negative health outcomes. Discussing hearing health with patients could significantly increase the number of older adults who receive appropriate hearing rehabilitation, thereby improving the maintenance of function and overall quality of life as patients age.

We want to understand the barriers and enablers to referral to hearing care for GPs in clinical practice. To do this, we are currently recruiting GPs to complete an online questionnaire (approx. 5-10 minutes). A $75 pre-paid MasterCard will be provided to those who complete the questionnaire.

Survey link: https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Ssb2IMKr0fGYsK

Our end goal in this study is to design one or more interventions for use in clinical practice to increase referrals by GPs to hearing care.  Your contribution to this study will help us to develop interventions that are feasible and acceptable for use by busy GPs, with the end goal of increasing the number of older patients receiving hearing care and optimising their health and well-being.