Audiology-led model provides efficient and effective access to grommet surgery

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Healthcare Service Delivery

Background:

• Children with otitis media face long delays in paediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) services.
• High demand and limited ORL capacity contribute to extended treatment wait times.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and service outcomes of an Advanced Audiology Practitioner (AAP) service for children with otitis media.
• To assess the AAP model's effectiveness in reducing wait times and improving access to ORL care.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective evaluation of 165 children referred to the AAP service over 3 months.
• Analysis of appointment attendance, wait times, and clinical outcomes including myringotomy findings.

Main Results:

• High engagement with the AAP service (96% attendance).
• Reduced proportion of children exceeding 120-day wait time by 33%.
• Average wait time decreased from 196 to 14 days; 55% seen in one visit.

Conclusions:

• The AAP model significantly improves access to ORL treatment for children with otitis media.
• This service delivery model is efficient and effective, particularly for managing middle ear effusion and preventing hearing loss.