Dataset Information

Tinnitus healthcare: a survey revealing extensive variation in opinion and practices across Europe.

ABSTRACT: Tinnitus remains a scientific and clinical problem whereby, in spite of increasing knowledge on effective treatment and management for tinnitus, very little impact on clinical practice has been observed. There is evidence that prolonged, obscure and indirect referral trajectories persist in usual tinnitus care.

Objective

It is widely acknowledged that efforts to change professional practice are more successful if barriers are identified and implementation activities are systematically tailored to the specific determinants of practice. The aim of this study was to administer a health service evaluation survey to scope current practice and knowledge of standards in tinnitus care across Europe. The purpose of this survey was to specifically inform the development process of a European clinical guideline that would be implementable in all European countries.

Design

A health service evaluation survey was carried out.

Setting

The survey was carried out online across Europe.

Participants

Clinical experts, researchers and policy-makers involved in national tinnitus healthcare and decision-making.

Outcome measures

A survey was developed by the study steering group, piloted on clinicians from the TINNET network and underwent two iterations before being finalised. The survey was then administered to clinicians and policy-makers from 24 European countries.

Results

Data collected from 625 respondents revealed significant differences in national healthcare structures, use of tinnitus definitions, opinions on characteristics of patients with tinnitus, assessment procedures and particularly in available treatment options. Differences between northern and eastern European countries were most notable.

Conclusions

Most European countries do not have national clinical guidelines for the management of tinnitus. Reflective of this, clinical practices in tinnitus healthcare vary dramatically across countries. This equates to inequities of care for people with tinnitus across Europe and an opportunity to introduce standards in the form of a European clinical guideline. This survey has highlighted important barriers and facilitators to the implementation of such a guideline.

SUBMITTER: Cima RFF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7045098 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundCurrent regulations of anaesthesiology training programmes may affect gender equity, female representation and leadership.ObjectiveTo describe the work regulations of anaesthesiology training programs and working conditions during the early period of child-rearing in European countries.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingNational Anesthesiologists Societies Committee (NASC) representatives of the European Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care.ParticipantsThirty-eight NASC representatives.Main outcome measuresBasic specialist training working conditions, gender-related data, return to work after childbirth and workplace policies against discrimination during anaesthesiology specialist training.InterventionsA 48-item questionnaire to explore the work patterns and conditions for trainees especially for new parents, professional development opportunities and work discrimination regulations in each representative country was distributed to NASC representatives of 44 European countries.ResultsWe collected the replies of each representative (38 representatives from 44 invited countries' representatives, 86% response rate). The median [IQR] proportion of female trainees was 60% [50 to 68]. There were no reported pay differences between sexes. In eight European countries, pregnant trainees worked fewer hours and were excused from night shifts. Women could not be laid off during pregnancy in all 38 countries (100%). The countries offered a median of 18 weeks of paid (total or partial) maternity leave (range, 13 to 60 weeks). Most countries (89%) accommodate paid paternity leaves. A significant proportion of parental leave was unpaid ( n =18, 42%). Twenty-one (55%) countries allowed part-time work after delivery. The UK was the only country with clear recommendations to formally complain after harassment.ConclusionEuropean countries have a wide variety of regulations. On paper, numerous countries have various paid maternal, paternal and parental leave; however, it remains to be determined if such leave takes place in practice. The practical consequences of these regulations on female trainees during the child-rearing period need to be explored further.Trial registrationNone.