Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Evaluation of an ear health pathway in remote communities: improvements in ear health access
Carole Reeve1, Amanda Thomas, Adam Mossenson
1Centre for Remote Health, Flinders University, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.
Insights
Implementing an ear health program (EHP) significantly improved school children's access to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care. Waiting times for specialist review were drastically reduced, enhancing primary ear health services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Long waiting lists for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist reviews pose a significant challenge in primary healthcare.
- Effective management of childhood ear diseases is crucial for long-term health and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an ear health program (EHP) on reducing waiting times for ENT specialist reviews.
- To improve the quality of primary ear health care for school children in remote Aboriginal communities.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective evaluation of an implemented ear health program (EHP) involving school children in Western Australia.
- Key interventions included an electronic referral template, dedicated ear health nurse, educator, and telehealth ENT specialist consultations.
- Data collected focused on screening rates, referral completeness, patient management, and waiting times for ENT appointments.
Main Results:
- Screening rates increased substantially, with 710 children assessed compared to 148 previously.
- Referrals to ENT specialists nearly doubled, and median waiting times reduced from 141 days to 22 days via telehealth.
- Referral letter quality improved, and primary care management aligned better with clinical guidelines.
Conclusions:
- The ear health program effectively enhanced access to primary ear care and reduced ENT waiting times.
- The integration of an ear health team, electronic referrals, and telehealth proved successful in improving patient outcomes.
Objective:
Reduce long waiting lists for ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist review and improve primary ear health care.
Design:
A retrospective evaluation of ear health care after the implementation of an ear health program (EHP).
Setting And Participants:
School children in Aboriginal communities in the Fitzroy Valley of Western Australia.
Key Measures For Improvement:
Access number of children screened for ear disease, effectiveness-referral letter completeness (history, otoscopy, tympanometry, audiometry), patient management and waiting time until first ENT contact.
Interventions:
EHP--an electronic referral template, ear health nurse, ear health educator and telehealth ENT specialist review.
Main Outcome Measures:
Screening rates, timely ENT review and improved primary care management.
Results:
Number of children screened increased from 148 per 18 months to 710. Nearly twofold increase in numbers of patients referred to ENT (32, 66). A reduction in median waiting time from 141 days to 22 days for ENT review using telehealth. Content of referral letters showed an increase in essential information--otoscopy, audiometry and tympanometry. Primary care management in accordance with guidelines improved.
Conclusions:
The addition of an ear health team increased access to appropriate primary care management and the time to contact with ENT was reduced by using an electronic template and telehealth sessions.
