LM325 - Closing the Research-to-Practice Gap Through Implementation Science

Abstract:
Audiology has a rich history of evidence-based practices (EBP) that shape our clinical service delivery models. Despite the availability of guidelines from governing bodies of audiology, uptake, and sustainment of evidence-based practices is variable. Research-to-practice gaps are evidenced across multiple areas of clinical practice and pediatrics and adult audiology alike. Implementation science serves to guide the effective adoption, reach, and sustainment of EBP through systematic evaluation and intervention to improve outcomes. This session will review research-to-practice gaps in audiology and introduce implementation science concepts to facilitate the use of EBP in routine audiological care. Since the inception of the field of audiology, research has fueled innovation and improved outcomes for children and adults with hearing and balance disorders.

Despite research consistently informing clinical practice, variability exists in the adoption and sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Research-to-practice gaps exist across multiple areas of audiology (Moodie et al., 2011). In pediatrics, the uptake of best practices for infant diagnosis, pediatric amplification verification, and cochlear implant programming are inconsistent (Moodie et al., 2016; Findlen & Schuller, 2020; Findlen et al., 2022). Limited adherence to recommended hearing aid fitting procedures and verification has also been found in the adult population (Mueller & Picou, 2010; Humes, 2012). Variability in clinical hearing healthcare limits equitable access and the overall public health impact that audiology can achieve (Studts, 2022).

Implementation science aims to facilitate the uptake of EBPs in routine clinical care through frameworks and methods that support adoption and sustainment. Several implementation science principles have been applied to audiology to study and improve hearing healthcare delivery (Studts, 2022). Improving family-centered care in adult audiology practice using the implementation science strategy of the behavior change wheel (Michie et al., 2011) has been used to change provider-level behavior through education, training, and environmental restructuring (Ekberg et al., 2014).

In pediatrics, an ongoing clinical trial of patient navigators deployed to reduce non-adherence to recommended diagnostic follow-up after failed newborn hearing screening will examine both health outcomes and the implementation outcomes of acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, and sustainability (Bush et al., 2022). Using the principles of implementation science, audiology has the potential to improve uptake of EBPs by addressing patient-level, provider-level, and organizational-level barriers, and ultimately increasing the overall public health impact of our field.<

This session will focus on introducing implementation science principles, frameworks, and methods to providers who aim to improve their adherence to best practices. Tangible examples from existing audiology research will be used to illustrate implementation principles and provide attendees with the cursory knowledge to facilitate implementation in their facilities and practices. Lastly, a roadmap for addressing a known research-to-practice gap in audiology will be presented for both pediatric and adult audiology practice so that attendees can examine tools in action.