Audiology 1st Contact Clinic

Aim

To increase access to and provide a more efficient, timely Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) outpatient service for patients referred with ear related conditions.

Benefits

• improved patient access and service capacity through the use of alternative pathways
• achieved within existing resources
• allied health practicing at top of their professional scope

Background

The Audiology 1st Contact Clinic model was developed by the audiologist in response to a request from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant to trial a new process to reduce the increasing waiting times for Category 2 and 3 patients referred for ear related conditions. It was estimated that a large proportion of these patients could be managed by direct diagnostic audiology assessment.

Evaluation and results

ENT outpatient service capacity increased with additional appointments created and improvements in the volume of patients seen within clinically recommended time frames.

The greatest impact in patient waiting times and seen in time performance was observed in Category 2 patients.

Lessons learnt

Consultant support of the audiologist to work to scope of practice independently (assess and diagnostics) was critical.

Degree of success is likely to be volume dependent and as such unlikely to suit sites without an existing audiologist (or willingness to employ) and/or a low volume of patients.

Resources

Public resources

Audio 1st Contact Clinic Guidelines [DOC 244.5 KB]