BSc Audiology Placement year feedback from students placed

BSc Audiology Placement year feedback from students placed 2007/08 l Dr Gary Farrell

BSc Audiology Overview l l l l l Course changes Student integration Sharing best practice Deviation from BSA procedures Variation in service provision/structure Student projects Student comments Student projects Unusual student experiences Accreditation –service feedback and curriculum input

BSc Audiology Course changes l l Nothing major last year Proposed s s Analogue aids – less Digital aid programme and modification – more Occulomotor testing – less Communication skills and dealing with difficult/challenging patients s Aurical audiometry? s Effective masking? l What else is missing – curriculum review later

BSc Audiology Student integration 1 l l l Talk from year 3 student really useful We expect contact from the student even a visit to you prior to placement All students re-familiarise themselves with BSA recommended procedures prior to starting A welcome pack with basic information is very useful to the student Location of clinic protocols is also useful Induction –earlier the better s Manual Handling? s Disabled, Dix-Hallpike, elderly frail – balance testing s 2 nd Induction – how different – can it be tailored?

BSc Audiology Student integration 2 l Time at start to re-familiarise themselves with Practice Navigator/Auditbase and the aids used in the department – less so on second placement s We teach Auditbase and Spirit aids l l l Shadowing other staff was excellent To. D, HT, speech therapist ENT doctor etc Visit to ENT surgery – great but not for the squeamish They enjoy being part of the team s s s Journal clubs Staff lunches Staff meetings Staff socials Xmas party etc

BSc Audiology Sharing best practice l l l Most students see two different departments and compare and contrast Courtesy telephone calls to reduce DNA rates Effective timetabling of slots – admin staff induction into type of slot i. e. re-tube or re-assess Noisy busy waiting rooms not a good first impression for hearing impaired A tidy workplace is an efficient workplace Quality of rooms and privacy of patients in shared rooms – ie storeroom in a patient interview room

BSc Audiology Deviation from BSA procedures or best practice l l l l Some testing carried out in non-soundproof booths Not using otostop for impressions and also undertaken when excessive wax and infection? Doing open fit in last 5 mins of appointment without complete verification due to time constraints Free field warble tones used on 4 year old when can possibly use headphones NAL NL 1 or DSL i/o – which is best for kids and why – YOU decide Fully masked PTA in 5 mins! Paediatricians cleanliness – a lot to be desired and lack of communication (hand washing)

BSc Audiology Variation in service provision l Routinely testing 3 and 6 k. Hz in PTA l Variable use of GHAB l REMs – when used and justification l REMs used for open fit? l l l Just fitting unilateral hearing aids – no option for patient to have bilateral aids High proportion of click fits in a number of departments – is the future or convenient Management structure and style variable – this is good

BSc Audiology Variations from the students point l l Students are not an imposition they are an asset Students should not be talked down to in front of patients Some departments could do with a lick of paint Protocols varied and some out of date s “Clinical guidelines reduce unacceptable or undesirable variations in practice and provide a focus for discussion among health professions” l l l Availability of mentor and Head of Department Time to enter or discuss logbook entries and achievements 2 nd placement – they are ready to go from the start

BSc Audiology Student comments l l l l Overlap with inductions Open door policy very useful Cover at outstations not as good as central location Lack of panic buttons Whistleblowing policy Support from University and tension! Being with another student is much more settling – a buddy

BSc Audiology Student projects l l Designing leaflets, poster displays or patient information sheets Equipment operating instructions Academic talk to staff or patient interest groups, audit guidelines, protocols and protocol updates Essay on BAHAs, localisation (unilateral or bilateral aids), open fits, VEMPs, earmould modifications etc l Talk in a village Hall l Talk to Journal Club

BSc Audiology Unusual student experiences comments l l l l Brighton Bells Nurse arrested for child molestation Arson attack and break in next door “Do hospitals normally have shootings” “Does audiometry affect pacemakers” Dementia patients are a real challenge I had to counsel the patients wife as she was more frustrated The letters to PALS really show patient appreciation What is CHARGE syndrome Finding a mastoid cavity not spotted by the audiologis Patient falling asleep during REMs Kids love bubbles Looking for toys in childrens ears – transformers and potatoes? Testing the King of Tonga’s hearing

BSc Audiology Accreditation and curriculum l l 5 year accreditation 2 advocates s Student experience s Improvements over the years s Changes required l Curriculum development s s Analogue aids – less Digital aid programme and modification – more Occulomotor testing – less Communication skills and dealing with difficult/challenging patients s Aurical audiometry? s Effective masking?

BSc Audiology Final comment l l l When they come back from their placement year they are buzzing with confidence and enthusiasm. They have matured and are more engaging and certainly have more clinical knowledge That is primarily up to you and your staff l Thank you from us all

BSc Audiology Contact details l l l Dr Gary Farrell - Room 4087 ISVR Tel 023 80594942 E: mail gf@isvr. soton. ac. uk