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Self-reported experience of tinnitus patients for different outpatient modes
  • +4
  • Tao Xiang,
  • Tao Xu,
  • Jing Ren,
  • Junmei Pu,
  • Lu Liu,
  • Yan Xiao,
  • Dan Lai
Dan Lai

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Objective: To explore self-reported experience for different outpatient modes in tinnitus patients. Methods: A observational study design was adopted. Tinnitus outpatients from the otological medicine and routine otolaryngology of our hospital fulfilling the study criteria were enrolled between October 2018 and January 2020. They were examined by semi-structured interview questionnaire. Groups were formed according to the different outpatient modes. The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0. Results: 193 questionnaires were included; 118 questionnaires of otological medicine outpatients, 75 questionnaires of otolaryngology outpatients. Nearly half of the otological medicine patients (48.3%) said that they communicated for 5–10 minutes with their doctor and a routine otolaryngology outpatient service usually takes 3–5 minutes (61.3%). However, most patients expected a longer time. Patient satisfaction and return visit rate of otological medicine (95.5% and 43.9%) were better than routine otolaryngology (77.3% and 7.1%). The main factors of efficacy considered physician interpretation and guidance (66.7%). Conclusion: Both outpatient models can give patients a more satisfactory experience in the real world. Specialized outpatient service can better fit the shared decision making model, conducive to the rehabilitation and management of tinnitus. However, the long-term follow-up and management of patients still need to be scrutinized and improved continuously.