Pilot Implementation of a Community-based, eHealth-enabled Service Delivery Model for Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention in the Philippines

Authors

  • Abegail Jayne P. Amoranto, MSc National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila; College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0613-0231
  • Philip B. Fullante, MD Philippine National Ear Institute, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4064-229X
  • Talitha Karisse L. Yarza, MclinAud Philippine National Ear Institute, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9506-0361
  • Abby Dariel F. Santos, RN National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Mark Lenon O. Tulisana, RN National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Monica B. Sunga National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Cayleen C. Capco National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Janielle T. Domingo National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Marco Antonio F. Racal National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
  • James P. Marcin, MD, MPH Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7281-6947
  • Luis G. Sison, PhD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Charlotte M. Chiong, MD, PhD College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila; Philippine National Ear Institute, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4503-9390
  • Portia Grace F. Marcelo, MD, MPH National Telehealth Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila; College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8640-0985

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v57i9.5332

Keywords:

newborn screening, hearing loss, health information systems, community healthcare, healthcare delivery

Abstract

Objectives. This study explores the potential of the HeLe Service Delivery Model, a community-based newborn hearing screening (NHS) program supported by a web-based referral system, in improving provision of hearing care services.

Methods. This prospective observational study evaluated the HeLe Service Delivery Model based on records review and user perspectives. We collected system usage logs from July to October 2018 and data on patient outcomes. Semi-structured interviews and review of field reports were conducted to identify implementation challenges and facilitating factors. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.

Results. Six hundred ninety-two (692) babies were screened: 110 in the RHUs and 582 in the Category A NHS hospital. Mean age at screening was 1.4±1.05 months for those screened in the RHU and 0.46±0.74 month for those in the Category A site. 47.3% of babies screened at the RHU were ?1 month old in contrast to 86.6% in the Category A hospital. A total of 10 babies (1.4%) received a positive NHS result. Eight of these ten patients were referred via the NHS Appointment and Referral System; seven were confirmed to have bilateral profound hearing loss, while one patient missed his confirmatory testing appointment. The average wait time between screening and confirmatory testing was 17.1±14.5 days. Facilitating factors for NHS implementation include the presence of champions, early technology
adopters, legislations, and capacity-building programs. Challenges identified include perceived inconvenience in using information systems, cost concerns for the patients, costly hearing screening equipment, and unstable internet connectivity. The lack of nearby facilities providing NHS diagnostic and intervention services remains a major block in ensuring early diagnosis and management of hearing loss in the community.

Conclusion. The eHealth-enabled HeLe Service Delivery Model for NHS is promising. It addresses the challenges and needs of community-based NHS by establishing a healthcare provider network for NHS in the locale, providing a capacity-building program to train NHS screeners, and deploying health information systems that allows for documentation, web-based referral and tracking of NHS patients. The model has the potential to be implemented on a larger scale — a deliberate step towards universal hearing health for all Filipinos.

 

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Published

2023-09-27

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 9 (2023): Hearing for Life (HeLe) Research Program, Newborn Hearing Screening in the Philippines and Beyond

Section

Articles

How to Cite

1.
Pilot Implementation of a Community-based, eHealth-enabled Service Delivery Model for Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention in the Philippines. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 27 [cited 2025 Apr. 25];57(9). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/5332

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