Developing an intervention to implement an ICF-based e-intake tool in clinical otology and audiology practice

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Health Informatics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Implementing new digital tools in clinical practice presents challenges.
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework for understanding health and disability.
• An ICF-based electronic intake tool aims to standardize patient assessment in oto-audiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an intervention strategy for implementing an ICF-based e-intake tool.
• To address identified barriers and enablers for hearing health professionals (HHPs) and patients.
• To utilize the Behaviour Change Wheel framework for intervention development.

Main Methods:

• Intervention design study employing the eight-stepped Behaviour Change Wheel.
• Previous research identified barriers and enablers for HHPs and patients.
• Intervention functions, policy categories, behavior change techniques, and delivery modes were systematically selected.

Main Results:

• For HHPs, intervention functions included education, training, enablement, modeling, persuasion, and environmental restructuring.
• For patients, intervention functions focused on education and enablement, supported by service provision.
• Specific behavior change techniques and delivery modes were identified for both professional and patient groups.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive, multifaceted intervention strategy was developed.
• The proposed intervention aims to facilitate the successful integration of the ICF-based e-intake tool into clinical oto-audiology practice.
• This approach addresses user needs and practical implementation factors.