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Perceptions of Telehealth Services for Hearing Loss in South Africa’s Public Healthcare System

Author

Listed:
  • Aaqilah Bhamjee

    (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Talita le Roux

    (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • De Wet Swanepoel

    (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
    Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia
    Virtual Hearing Laboratory, Collaborative Initiative between University of Colorado and the University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO 10045, USA)

  • Marien Alet Graham

    (Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Kurt Schlemmer

    (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
    Department of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kwazulu Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Faheema Mahomed-Asmail

    (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
    Virtual Hearing Laboratory, Collaborative Initiative between University of Colorado and the University of Pretoria, Aurora, CO 10045, USA)

Abstract

Telehealth promises increased access to hearing healthcare services, primarily in areas where hearing healthcare resources are limited, such as within the South African public healthcare system. Telehealth for hearing healthcare is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, where physical distancing has been essential. This study aimed to describe audiologists’ perceptions regarding telehealth services for hearing loss within South Africa’s public healthcare system. This study was divided into two phases. During Phase 1, 97 audiologists completed an electronic survey regarding their perceptions of telehealth for hearing loss within South African public sector hospitals. Synchronous virtual focus-group discussions were conducted during Phase 2. Results indicated that audiologists recognized telehealth services’ potential to improve hearing healthcare efficiency within the public sector, and most (84.1%) were willing to use it. However, telehealth’s actual uptake was low despite almost doubling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prominent perceived barriers to telehealth were primarily related to hospital resources, including the unavailability of equipment for the remote hearing/specialized assessments, internet-related barriers, and limited IT infrastructure. An increased understanding of telehealth in South Africa’s public healthcare system will assist in identifying and in improving potential barriers to telehealth, including hospital resources and infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Aaqilah Bhamjee & Talita le Roux & De Wet Swanepoel & Marien Alet Graham & Kurt Schlemmer & Faheema Mahomed-Asmail, 2022. "Perceptions of Telehealth Services for Hearing Loss in South Africa’s Public Healthcare System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7780-:d:847233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Byrne, 2022. "A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1391-1412, June.
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