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

Cima, Rilana F.F.; Kikidis, Dimitris; Mazurek, Birgit; Haider, Ha�la; Cederroth, Chistopher R.; Norena, Arnaud; Lapira, Alec; Bibas, Athanasios; Hoare, Derek J.

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Authors

Rilana F.F. Cima

Dimitris Kikidis

Birgit Mazurek

Ha�la Haider

Chistopher R. Cederroth

Arnaud Norena

Alec Lapira

Athanasios Bibas

DEREK HOARE derek.hoare@nottingham.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Hearing Sciences



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.

Citation

Cima, R. F., Kikidis, D., Mazurek, B., Haider, H., Cederroth, C. R., Norena, A., …Hoare, D. J. (2020). Tinnitus healthcare: a survey revealing extensive variation in opinion and practices across Europe. BMJ Open, 10(1), Article e029346. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029346

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 8, 2019
Online Publication Date Jan 21, 2020
Publication Date 2020-01
Deposit Date Jan 25, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal BMJ Open
Electronic ISSN 2044-6055
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 10
Issue 1
Article Number e029346
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029346
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3794166
Publisher URL https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e029346

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