What is it about?
This article explores the factors that influence family physician (FP) decision making, when referring their adult patients for a hearing assessment. Using interviewing methods, the authors were able to compile a list of factors that both influenced FPs to refer, or in contrast, to not refer their adult patients who presented to the clinic with hearing difficulties.
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Why is it important?
Understanding what factors influence FP decision making can help inform further research in this area. Importantly, this study has shed light on the multifaceted approach that FPs take towards the decision making process - considering both the risks, and the benefits of a referral decision.
Perspectives
As an audiologist, we can sometimes see the patient in front of us and wonder, “how could their FP not have referred this patient earlier?” I had an interest in better understanding why an FP may, or may not a refer a patient who has hearing difficulties. What I found is that we should perhaps reserve our judgment, and instead find ways to support FP decision making, by proactively working together to improve hearing outcomes for our shared patients.
Jessica Tsiolkas
National Acoustic Laboratories
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Why Family Physicians Refer (or Don't) for Adult Hearing Assessment: A Qualitative Interview Study, American Journal of Audiology, August 2026, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2026_aja-25-00318.
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