title: Newborn hearing screening. An assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practice among Minnesota physicians.
abstract: Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects. Without proper early screening, it may go undetected until a child demonstrates significant and sometimes irreversible communication delays. The Minnesota Department of Health in collaboration with 2 national organizations conducted a survey of Minnesota physicians regarding their awareness of its Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. Results indicate that the majority (133/150 or 89%) of respondents were aware of the program and understood that early screening was "very important". Although many physicians (82/151 or 54%) reported feeling "very confident" about their ability to explain the hearing screening process to parents, only 21% indicated that their training prepared them to meet the needs of infants with hearing loss. Survey respondents reported "a great need" for protocols for follow-up after a problematic screening (94/148 or 64%), information about early intervention options (86/147 or 59%), a contact for more information (89/147 or 61%), and parent education resources (86/147 or 59%). These findings will be used to develop materials and resources to broaden physicians' knowledge and understanding of the state's EHDI program.
authors.affiliation: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention/Early Hearing Detection, Minnesota Department of Health, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole C M
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Penny A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hatcher
authors.forename: Yaoli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008910:Minnesota; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation