title: A process evaluation of implementing a vocational enablement protocol for employees with hearing difficulties in clinical practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation programme, the Vocational Enablement Protocol (VEP) was developed to address the specific needs of employees with hearing difficulties. In the current study we evaluated the process of implementing the VEP in audiologic care among employees with hearing impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In conjunction with a randomized controlled trial, we collected and analysed data on seven process parameters: recruitment, reach, fidelity, dose delivered, dose received and implemented, satisfaction, and perceived benefit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six employees with hearing impairment participated in the VEP. The multidisciplinary team providing the VEP comprised six professionals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The professionals performed the VEP according to the protocol. Of the recommendations delivered by the professionals, 31% were perceived as implemented by the employees. Compliance rate was highest for hearing-aid uptake (51%). Both employees and professionals were highly satisfied with the VEP. Participants rated good perceived benefit from it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that the VEP could be a useful treatment for employees with hearing difficulties from a process evaluation perspective. Implementation research in the audiological setting should be encouraged in order to further provide insight into parameters facilitating or hindering successful implementation of an intervention and to improve its quality and efficacy.
authors: * Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, section Ear & Hearing and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors: Arjenne H M
authors: AH
authors: Gussenhoven
authors: Amika S
authors: AS
authors: Singh
authors: S Theo
authors: ST
authors: Goverts
authors: Marten
authors: M
authors: van Til
authors: Johannes R
authors: JR
authors: Anema
authors: Sophia E
authors: SE
authors: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016730:Program Development; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Hearing loss; audiology; clinical occupational physician; employee; implementation; multidisciplinary; perceived benefit; process evaluation; satisfaction; vocational integrated care programme