Abstract:
Effective clinician-client and/or whānau interactions are vital to successful, client-centered audiological services. An audiologist's approach, including their preferences and competence in counselling and interpersonal communication, influences the quality of interactions in consultations. Yet, little is known about these essential components of practice in New Zealand. The current study aimed to explore clinician-client and/or whānau interactions in audiological consultations in New Zealand from the perspective of New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS) audiologists. A total of 72 NZAS audiologists (16.6% response rate) completed an online survey that explored perspectives, approaches, experiences and training related to interactions. The survey generated for the study was informed by literature and went through an amendment and pilot process. The final survey was comprised of open-ended and closedended items and included the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale modified for Audiology. Findings from the study suggest, that whilst audiologists bring some strengths to interactions, there are areas of practice that require improvement. Although audiologists have good intentions, as well as some awareness and knowledge of optimal interactions, they may not be practicing as they intend to or as they believe they are. No differences in approach to interactions were observed based on working with tinnitus or receiving formal training. In corroboration with international findings, audiologists appeared to approach interactions with a preference for client-centered care; yet, struggle with recognising as well as appropriately addressing psychosocial and adjustment aspects, and seem to lack confidence and competency in some parts of counselling and interpersonal communication. The study revealed that audiologists may not have received adequate training or support in these areas during their audiology qualification or in their ongoing practice. Furthermore, whilst audiologists desire to improve their interactions they require support to do so. There is a need for the field of audiology to place a greater focus on, as well as support an improvement in, clinician-client and/or whānau interactions and associated components to improve services. Further research is, however, required to confirm what is occurring in interactions routinely in practice, to determine client and/or whānau perspectives and experiences surrounding interactions, and to determine the best way to move forward.