the Patient-Centred Tinnitus
Management Tool
Hashir Aazh*, Brian C. J. Moore**, Pete
Roberts*
*Audiology Department,
Ealing Hospital, Uxbridge Road, London UB1 3HW, UK
**Department of
Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2
3EB, UK
The
Patient-Centred Tinnitus Management Tool (PCTMT) is a poster which explains the
causes of tinnitus and encourages patients to decide for themselves the way
that they want to deal with their tinnitus. The main aims of this tool are: (1)
to explain the different ways of dealing with tinnitus in a very
straightforward way and (2) to encourage patients to decide for themselves the
treatment option which suits them the best. This poster should be used AFTER
patients visit their ENT specialist.
The results
of a clinical audit performed at Ealing Primary Care Trust revealed that only
40% of 40 consecutive patients referred over a period of two months wished
to undertake tinnitus counselling and were subsequently added to the tinnitus
counselling waiting list. The PCTMT tool thus reduced the number of patients who
would otherwise have been (reluctantly) referred for tinnitus counselling by
60%. This has allowed the audiologist to spend more time with the people who
need intervention the most. This
has increased the quality of care and has led to more efficient use of
resources.
For more details, contact:
Hashir Aazh
Audiology
Department
Ealing
Hospital
Uxbridge
Road
Southall,
London UB1 3HW
England
Email: hashir.aazh@nhs.net
Tel: +4420
8967 5410