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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
THE TELEFITTING METHOD USED IN THE NATIONAL
NETWORK OF TELEAUDIOLOGY: ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY
AND COST EFFECTIVENESS
1
Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, ul. Zgrupowania AK “Kampinos” 1, 01-943 Warszawa, Poland
2
World Hearing Center, ul. Mokra 17, Kajetany 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
3
Institute of Sensory Organs, ul. Mokra 1, Kajetany 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
Publication date: 2012-06-30
Corresponding author
Arkadiusz Wasowski
Arkadiusz Wasowski, World Hearing Center, Auditory Implants and Perception Department, Kajetany, Mokra 17, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
Arkadiusz Wasowski, World Hearing Center, Auditory Implants and Perception Department, Kajetany, Mokra 17, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland
J Hear Sci 2012;2(2):81-85
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
To obtain the best hearing benefits after cochlear implantation, the speech processor must be optimally fitted. The majority of patients have to undertake a long trip to the cochlear implant (CI) clinic, and this incurs high cost, time, and travel weariness. To overcome this problem, ‘telefitting’ has been proposed. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a large-scale introduction of telefitting into clinical practice.
Material and Methods:
Material of this study consisted of 94 cochlear implant users scheduled for telefitting between March and May 2011 in one of 8 centers selected for this study. For cost assessment a group of 195 patients was surveyed. Each patient underwent a teleconsultation procedure. After telefitting the patient was presented with a questionnaire consisting of questions relating to the quality and time effectiveness of telefitting and the preparation process, assessment of the ease of contact with the audiologist, the sense of security and calm during the session, and an overall assessment of its usefulness as an alternative to different kinds of standard visits.
Results and Conclusions:
The Nationwide Network of Teleaudiology proved to be a reliable platform for telefitting. The method and a proposed model of postoperative care for implanted patients using telemedicine seems to be a reliable alternative to standard model. It improves the quality of service provided to patients and saves substantial time and money
To obtain the best hearing benefits after cochlear implantation, the speech processor must be optimally fitted. The majority of patients have to undertake a long trip to the cochlear implant (CI) clinic, and this incurs high cost, time, and travel weariness. To overcome this problem, ‘telefitting’ has been proposed. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a large-scale introduction of telefitting into clinical practice.
Material and Methods:
Material of this study consisted of 94 cochlear implant users scheduled for telefitting between March and May 2011 in one of 8 centers selected for this study. For cost assessment a group of 195 patients was surveyed. Each patient underwent a teleconsultation procedure. After telefitting the patient was presented with a questionnaire consisting of questions relating to the quality and time effectiveness of telefitting and the preparation process, assessment of the ease of contact with the audiologist, the sense of security and calm during the session, and an overall assessment of its usefulness as an alternative to different kinds of standard visits.
Results and Conclusions:
The Nationwide Network of Teleaudiology proved to be a reliable platform for telefitting. The method and a proposed model of postoperative care for implanted patients using telemedicine seems to be a reliable alternative to standard model. It improves the quality of service provided to patients and saves substantial time and money
REFERENCES (8)
1.
Wesarg T, Wasowski A, Skarzynski H et al: Remote fitting in Nucleus cochlear implant recipients. Acta Otolaryngol, 2010; 130(12): 1379–88.
2.
Wasowski A, Skarzynski PH, Lorens A et al: Remote fitting of cochlear implant system. Cochlear Implants Int, 2010; 11(1): 489–92.
3.
Rodríguez C, Ramos A, Falcon JC et al: Use of telemedicine in the remote programming of cochlear implants. Cochlear Implants Int, 2010; 11(1): 461–64.
4.
Polovoy C: Audiology telepractice overcomes inaccessibility. The ASHA Leader, 2008; 13(8): 20–22.
5.
Skarzynski H, Lorens A, Piotrowska A: A new method of partial deafness treatment. Med Sci Monit, 2003; 9(4): CS20–24.
6.
Skarzynski H, Lorens A, Piotrowska A, Anderson I: Preservation of low frequency hearing in partial deafness cochlear implantation (PDCI) using the round window surgical approach. Acta Otolaryngol, 2007; 127: 41–48.
7.
Skarzynski H, Lorens A: Partial deafness treatment. Cochlear Implant Int, 2010; 11(Suppl.1): 29–41.
8.
Skarzynski H, Lorens A, Piotrowska A, Skarzynski P: Hearing Preservation In partial deafness treatment. Med Sci Monit, 2010; 16(11): CR555–62.
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