Emma Webb1,2, Professor Jan Hodgson2, Dr Alanna Gillespie1,5, Professor Cheryl Jones2,3,4, Dr Zeffie Poulakis1,2,5, Associate Professor Valerie Sung1,2,5
1Murdoch Children’s Research Institute , Melbourne, Australia, 2University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia , 3University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 4Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (Westmead), Sydney, Australia, 5The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Emma is an audiologist by background, in the final stages of her PhD in which she is exploring “factors facilitating screening for congenital cytomegalovirus”, the leading infectious cause of permanent hearing loss in babies.
Abstract
Issue of consideration: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading infectious cause of sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities, with prompt detection (<21 days of life) required to enable accurate diagnosis and anti-viral treatment where clinically appropriate. International guidelines recommend cCMV screening for infants who do not pass their Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS), however this is not routinely implemented.
Aim: This study aimed to explore staff perspectives on the barriers and enablers of targeted cCMV screening through the UNHS, as part of the HearScCMV study in Victoria, Australia between 2019-2020.
Methods: A qualitative study comprising 5, one-hour focus group discussions with UNHS staff involved in HearS-cCMV study. Focus groups were guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Analyses included thematic analysis within the TDF domains to identify key barriers and enablers.
Purpose of presentation: To discuss preliminary findings of our study, which identified 4 main TDF domains addressing perceived enablers and barriers to targeted cCMV. These include (1) knowledge and skills of both staff and parents, (2) beliefs about capabilities and professional role, (3) beliefs about consequences for both staff and parents, and (4) environmental context and resources.
Outcomes: Increasing knowledge for both staff and parents around cCMV is instrumental in addressing concerns around perceived capabilities and consequences for staff within their professional role, as well as furthering education for staff around the cCMV screening process. Ensuring that targeted cCMV screening is well integrated into existing UNHS procedures with appropriate resources is important in addressing environmental context and resources.