Minneapolis, Dec. 21, 2010 - Recognizing the often long delay between the development of a new technology and its general acceptance and application is the basis of a new behavioral field of study known as the Implementation and Dissemination Sciences (IDS). The classic and oft-referred to example of the implementation gap was the fact that the Crusaders of the early 13th century frequently suffered from scurvy which they learned could be treated by eating fresh citrus. However, it was the mid-1400s and some 70 years later before the curative effects of citrus fruit were routinely utilized to eliminate the horrible symptoms of scurvy. Other more current examples the implementation gap in health care are commonly observed. Recent reports detailing the dangers of cough syrup for children, accompanied by the fact that there is little or no evidence that cough syrup is better than a placebo, has had little effect on the sale of cough syrup products. Evidence suggesting that pediatric patients with middle ear fluid are more likely to be harmed by the aggressive over-use of antibiotics has not diminished the administration of these serious medications known to have numerous adverse side effects.
The audiology profession has been relatively successful in recent years developing an evidence base for best practices (EBP);unfortunately, audiologists have not been willing to adopt these practices as part of everyday routine clinical care. Recent survey data, as reported in the recent MarkTrak VIII report, suggest that patient satisfaction with hearing aids remains relatively low due, in part, to a failure to implement best practices such as the evaluation of speech understanding in noise, probe-microphone verification of hearing aid fittings, the appropriate assessment of patient outcome, and the provision of post-fitting rehabilitation.
The failure to implement evidence-based practice is not unique to audiology;in fact it is so pervasive in healthcare that an entire area of study called Implementation and Dissemination Sciences has emerged to examine the nature of and develop solutions to this problem. IDS utilizes a multidisciplinary set of theories, methods and skills whose ultimate goal is to enhance the adoption, appropriate adaptation (i.e., translation) and spread of best evidence-based practices and policies into clinical care and public health, and develop best evidence through community engagement. The research that has emerged suggests that the successful implementation of best practices requires a complex understanding of the nature of the evidence, the context in which the clinician functions, and how change is facilitated within a practice or organization.
To address these implementation issues in audiology, Starkey hosted a unique conference designed to consider solutions to more immediate acceptance and adoption of new technologies as required standards of care. A small group of key audiology leaders met with a team of Starkey staff in Eden Prairie last month to learn about the sciences of implementation and dissemination and to discuss possible approaches to apply these principles to the field of audiology. The Starkey Group has a strong interest in evidence-based practices and served to sponsor this first IDS-based "think tank" in the field to address issues of adoption, adaptation and spread of EBP for optimization of hearing healthcare for adults in the U.S. The specific goals for the meeting included (a) developing an understanding of IDS and implications for audiology practice;(b) exploration of potential barriers and facilitators of adoption and adaptation of EBP protocols in audiology;and (c) strategy planning for translation of evidence to practice in hearing healthcare.
The keynote speaker for the Implementation Research Conference was Phyllis C. Panzano, Ph.D., Visiting Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Sciences and the Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida. She is also President of Decision Support Services, Inc., a research and consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. The meeting was attended by a number of audiologists, who will will continue working with Dr. Panzano and plans to proceed with deliberations to generate ideas, encouraging widespread adoption of innovative hearing science technologies.
About Starkey®
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,250 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit StarkeyPro.com or the Starkey Web Channel on Audiology Online.
