Promoting hearing loss support in general practice: a qualitative concept-mapping study

Objectives and importance of study: Interventions are needed to help general practitioners (GPs) better support clients living with age-related hearing loss. This project canvassed stakeholder views regarding how GPs might better support people with hearing loss.

A group concept-mapping approach was used to identify enablers to improving the way in which GPs could support people with age-related hearing loss.

Concept-mapping techniques were used to gather the perspectives of GPs (n = 7), adults with hearing loss (n = 21), and professionals working with GPs (n = 4) in Australia. Participants generated statements in response to the question, "What would enable GPs to better support people with hearing loss?" Participants then grouped and ranked these statements via an online portal.

Five concepts were identified: 1) making hearing assessment part of routine care; 2) asking questions and raising concerns; 3) listening with empathy and respect; 4) having knowledge and understanding; 5) being connected to expert hearing professional networks. Statements contained within all five concepts were deemed to be highly beneficial in this context, with no individual concept identified to be more or less beneficial than any of the other four concepts.

A wide range of hearing-specific and general communication approaches were identified that could potentially help GPs to better support their adult patients with age-related hearing loss.