Stakeholder Perspectives on Ear and Hearing Health Service Provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children

TL;DR

This study explores stakeholder views on ear and hearing health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, highlighting issues and suggesting improvements.

Contribution

The paper introduces the concept of dedicated ear health champions and the potential use of technology to improve follow-up and service delivery.

Findings

Stakeholders identified a fragmented and inconsistent system for ear and hearing health services.

Strategies for improvement include workforce capacity building and community education on ear and hearing health impacts.

Abstract

Ear disease and hearing loss are largely preventable; however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates globally. National and state guidelines recommend involving Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners (AHWP) in ear and hearing screening, but no investigation has been conducted into stakeholder perspectives on their role.

Key stakeholders involved in ear and hearing screening participated in semi‐structured interviews via teleconference to explore their views on current screening processes, AHWP engagement and strategies for improvement.

Thirteen stakeholders participated. Five themes were identified: (i) a fragmented, short‐sighted and inconsistent system; (ii) confusion around scope of practice; (iii) workforce capacity; (iv) community awareness and knowledge and (v) service provision and utilisation. Strategies for improvement included strengthening workforce capacity, implementing a family friendly approach (e.g., no age limits), dedicated ear health champions to facilitate timely and appropriate follow‐up and the potential role for technology in the ear health pathway. Stakeholders also advocated for the need for community education to raise awareness of the impacts of poor ear and hearing health.

This study describes the current state of ear and hearing health services for Aboriginal children and provides insights into improving ear and hearing screening programmes.

What is already known on this subject:
Colonisation has intentionally disrupted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, health and wellbeing.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia experience some of the highest levels of ear disease globally.Current approaches are not addressing the persistent high rates of ear disease amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Colonisation has intentionally disrupted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, health and wellbeing.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia experience some of the highest levels of ear disease globally.

Current approaches are not addressing the persistent high rates of ear disease amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

What this paper adds:
Stakeholders identified dedicated ear health champions to aid in facilitating timely and appropriate follow‐up and there is a potential role for technology in the ear health pathway.Stakeholders recommended a range of strategies are needed, including strengthening workforce capacity and community education to raise awareness of the impacts of poor ear and hearing health.

Stakeholders identified dedicated ear health champions to aid in facilitating timely and appropriate follow‐up and there is a potential role for technology in the ear health pathway.

Stakeholders recommended a range of strategies are needed, including strengthening workforce capacity and community education to raise awareness of the impacts of poor ear and hearing health.

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