NAERUM, DK April 6 – The Committee for the VA Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (ASP) Program Office has developed Implementing Patient-Centered Tools and Resources Created by the Ida Institute in VA Audiology Clinics, a summary document that details each Ida tool along with its purpose and/or description, links to the tool itself, instructions and resources about use of the tool, and possible clinical/professional applications.
The potential reach of this patient-centered care initiative is considerable. More than 1.6 million veterans have auditory disabilities. The Veterans Health Administration operates one of the largest health care systems in the world and is one of the largest purchasers of hearing aids in the world.
“We are pleased that the VA is adapting Ida tools in their clinical care services,” said Managing Director Lise Lotte Bundesen. “It is an exciting time for the Ida Institute and all members of the Ida network. By encouraging VA audiologists to implement the Ida tools in VA audiology clinics, the VA re-affirms our belief that the delivery of comprehensive hearing care services is enhanced by patient centered care.”
Ida Tools Presented at JDVAC
Samantha Lewis, PhD, who participated in the small workgroup responsible for drafting the Implementing Patient-Centered Tools and Resources document, presented a two-part session on Motivational Interviewing at the March Joint Defense Veterans Audiology Conference (JDVAC). The JDVAC is an annual knowledge-sharing event that brings together members of the Association of VA Audiologists and the Military Audiology Association from across the US.
In her presentation, Dr. Lewis reviewed the Ida Institute’s Motivational Tools and described a motivational-based counseling approach in use at the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, located at the VA Portland Health Care System.
Practical Application in VA Clinics
Paula J. Myers, PhD also contributed to the VA ASP Program Office Committee that developed the summary document on the Ida tools. The Ida Motivational Tools are already in use in daily practice at the VA auditory clinics that Dr. Meyers supervises in Tampa. The Line and the Circle Motivational Tools are included in the case history forms that patients complete at home, before the first appointment.
“The staff appreciates that they can incorporate the Line and Circle elements from the completed case history into a dialogue with patients,” explained Dr. Myers. “I think the veterans also appreciate answering the case history questions. It shows them that we are interested in what matters to them even before they walk in the door.”
In her individual and group aural rehabilitation classes, Dr. Myers uses the Box Motivational Tool to deal with ambivalence as well as the Communication Tools, Living Well, and resources from Group AR. Ida’s Self-Development Tools and videos are also used during monthly staff in-services on patient centered care.
Accessing the Ida Toolbox
The Ida tools provide practical, easy-to-use strategies to engage patients in the self/management of their hearing loss.
VA audiologists are the newest and largest group to incorporate the Ida tools into day-to-day practice. Audiologists, educators and hearing health professionals around the world have found that the Ida tools help them to deliver more patient-centered care.
The entire Ida Toolbox is freely shared and can be downloaded or ordered through www.idainstitute.com along with support tools on how best to integrate the tools into clinical practice. VA audiologists can access PDFs of the tools and resource documents on the VA Audiology SharePoint.
