<< BACK TO AGENDA

ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Our Goal - No SOAP (Shortage of Audiologists for Pediatrics)' Track: 9 - Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Keyword(s): Pediatric audiologists, Teleaudiology, Collaboration Learning Objectives: 1. Identify at least 3 strategies to reduce the shortage of pediatric audiologists. 2. Identify at least one potential strategy to address the pediatric audiology shortage in their state. Abstract: Accessibility to comprehensive pediatric audiology evaluation services is a challenge facing most states. EHDI programs in different states have approached this in a variety of ways. Though North Carolina has excellent pediatric audiology services in some areas, there are several parts of the state where barriers create a shortage of diagnostic audiology for infants. The barrier in some cases is a lack of providers with pediatric audiology skills; in others it is the long distance travel necessary to reach skilled providers. Additionally, the barriers may not be the same for different geographical regions within the same state. NC chose to utilize the supplemental HRSA funding, available in 2009, to address the shortage of pediatric audiologists. Due to differences in barriers identified for specific areas of our state, three strategies were identified to address this issue. In one very rural part of the state, teleaudiology services have been developed. Training and diagnostic equipment have been provided for audiologists in an ENT office in another part of the state. A third segment of our state developed a Pediatric Audiology Task Force that will lead to expansion of services in that region. North Carolina will share successes, complexities, and challenges of each of the strategies we have implemented. This presentation will offer lots of time for discussion of various strategies and will be interactive. The session is designed for everyone to contribute their own experiences, and there will be ample time for questions and discussion of strategies used by other states. Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Sandy Simpson - Author Parent      Credentials: Parent       Parent       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Charlotte Destino - Author NC Division of Public Health      Credentials: CCC-A       Charlotte Destino has been a Child Health Audiology Consultant for the past seven years. She is a member of the Western North Carolina Pediatric Audiology Task Force.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Kathleen Watts - POC,Primary Presenter,Author NC Division of Public Health      Credentials: EHDI Program Manager       Kathleen Watts has a Masters degree in Public Health Education. From 2000-2007 she was the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for NCHAM. Since 2007, she has been the Program Manager for the NC EHDI Program.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Gloria Jones - Co-Presenter,Author East Carolina University      Credentials: Clinical Program Manager       Gloria L. Jones is the Clinical Program Manager for the ECU Telemedicine Center. She is responsible for the clinical program development and training of the clinical users for a network that serves a 14,000 square mile region in eastern North Carolina. Ms. Jones has been instrumental to the successful development of the ECU Telemedicine Center since it's inception in 1991.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -