Changes in participatory and societal outcomes during the waiting period for cochlear implantation - an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Various factors, including an aging population and expanding eligibility criteria, may increase the demand for cochlear implants (CIs), potentially resulting in longer waiting times. In most Dutch CI centers, the time between referral and surgery exceeds 6 months. Clinical experience suggests that during the waiting period for cochlear implantation, hearing and communication difficulties increase. Simultaneously, there is an interest in outcomes more closely aligned with patient values and needs, which resulted in the SMILE (Societal Merit of Interventions on hearing Loss Evaluation) study. This paper presents results on observed changes in societal and participatory outcomes during waiting time in participants with a time to CI surgery exceeding 6 months. METHODS: SMILE is a prospective multi-center study including 232 individuals who were referred for unilateral CI. Continuous and nominal data from multiple questionnaires, sent immediately after referral and shortly before surgery, were analyzed by computing differences, Cohen's D, and odds ratios. RESULTS: Of the total 232 participants, 102 had a time between inclusion and surgery exceeding 6 months. Of these, 89 had (partially) filled out surveys at both time points. Of all the domain scores 55% did not show differences between timepoints. All Cohen's D estimates were relatively small, ranging from - 0.298 to 0.388 for those outcomes that showed noteworthy changes. CONCLUSION: Waiting time from referral to surgery, even though exceeding 6 months, was observed to not seriously affect non-clinically-prioritized patients in an adverse way. Future investigations should identify subgroups on tolerable waiting times regarding short- and long-term outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05525221, 25-8-2022.

The effect of cochlear implantation on autonomy, participation and work in postlingually deafened adults: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: This scoping review examines the available evidence on the effect of unilateral cochlear implantation (CI) in adults with postlingual bilateral hearing loss on societal-related outcomes in terms of work, autonomy and participation. METHODS: Five databases were searched (Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library). Publications were screened in three steps on inclusion criteria. Of the 4230 screened publications, 110 met the inclusion criteria and were assessed for data extraction regarding outcomes "work", "autonomy", "participation". Study characteristics and key findings are presented and narratively described. RESULTS: Twenty-seven publications were included and categorized into retrospective (n = 3), cross-sectional (n = 18) or prospective (n = 6) study designs. Measurement or identification of number of outcomes (no) were related to work (no = 20), participation (no = 9) and autonomy or independency (no = 10). Most studies indicated benefits of CI on these outcomes. However, some studies did not or indicated additional barriers for benefits. Eleven publications primarily aimed to study one or more of our primary outcomes. CONCLUSION: In this literature search, scientific databases are reviewed. The results indicate that there is a relatively small body of evidence regarding the effect of CI on the outcomes "work", "autonomy" and "participation". Even though there are some limitations of the current study including some overlap in outcome definitions, most included studies indicate a beneficial effect of CI on work, autonomy and participation. The lack of consensus in definitions and the small body of evidence indicates a need for additional prospective studies investigating the societal outcomes of CI in postlingually deafened adults.

Conditional Financing of Drugs in the Netherlands: Past, Present, and Future-Results From Stakeholder Interviews.

BACKGROUND: Conditional financing (CF) of hospital drugs was implemented in the Netherlands as a form of managed entry agreements between 2006 and 2012. CF was a 4-year process comprising 3 stages: initial health technology assessment of the drug (T = 0), conduct of outcomes research studies, and reassessment of the drug (T = 4). OBJECTIVES: To analyze stakeholder experiences in implementing CF in practice. METHODS: Public and private stakeholders were approached for participation in stakeholder interviews through standardized email invitations. An interview guide was developed to guide discussions that covered the following topics: perceived aims of CF, functioning of CF, impact of CF, and conclusions and future perspectives. Extensive summaries were generated for each interview and subsequently used for directed content analysis. RESULTS: Thirty stakeholders were interviewed. Differences emerged among the stakeholders on the perceived aims of CF. Conversely, there was some agreement among stakeholders on the shortcomings in the functioning of CF, the positive impact of CF on the Dutch healthcare setting, and improvement points for CF. CONCLUSIONS: Despite stakeholders' belief that CF either did not meet its aims or only partially did so, there was agreement on the need for new policy to address the same aims of CF in the future. Nevertheless, stakeholders diverged on whether CF should be improved on the basis of learnings identified and reintroduced into practice or replaced with new policy schemes.

Impact of Expanding Eligibility Criteria for Cochlear Implantation - Dynamic Modeling Study.

OBJECTIVES: Eligibility criteria for cochlear implantation (CI) are shifting due to technological and surgical improvements. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of further expanding unilateral CI criteria in those with severe hearing loss (HL) (61-80 dBHL) in terms of number of CI recipients, costs, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: A dynamic population-based Markov model was constructed mimicking the Dutch population in three age categories over a period of 20 years. Health states included severe HL (61-80 dBHL), profound HL (>81 dBHL), CI recipients, and no-CI recipients. Model parameters were based on published literature, (national) databases, expert opinion, and model calibration. RESULTS: If persons with severe HL would qualify and opt for CI similar to those with profound HL now, this would lead to a 6-7 times increase of new CI recipients and an associated increase in costs (€550 million) and QALYs (54.000) over a 20-year period (incremental cost utility ratio: 10.771 euros/QALY [2.5-97.5 percentiles: 1.252-23.171]). One-way-sensitivity analysis indicated that model outcomes were most sensitive to regaining employment, utility associated with having a CI, and costs of surgery and testing. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that expanding eligibility for CI to persons with severe HL could be a cost-effective use of resources. Clearly, however, it would require a significant increase in diagnostic, operative, and rehabilitative capacity. Our quantitative estimates can serve as a basis for a wider societal deliberation on the question whether such an increase can and should be pursued. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 133:924-932, 2023.

Changes on clinical and participatory outcomes in people with severe-to-profound hearing loss after cochlear implantation: protocol of a multicentre prospective observational cohort study - Societal Merit of Intervention on Hearing Loss Evaluation (SMILE).

INTRODUCTION: Cochlear implantation (CI) is a (cost-)effective intervention for people with severe or profound hearing loss. Since its introduction experience increased and the technology evolved, leading to better results and relaxation of CI eligibility criteria. Meanwhile, with national healthcare costs increasing there is a need for evidence of healthcare technology's value. This protocol describes a study to investigate clinical and participatory outcomes after CI for the currently (expanded) eligible hearing impaired population. The study adds to the current evidence base through its multicentre design, long-term follow-up and use of participatory outcomes alongside standard clinical outcomes. METHODS: This multicentre prospective observational cohort study will include at least 156 adult patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss, approximately evenly divided into two groups (1, ages 18-65 years and 2, age >65 years). The measurements consist of audiometry, cognition tests, listening effort tests and multiple generic and disease specific questionnaires. Questionnaires will be administered twice before CI, soon after inclusion at CI referral and shortly before CI surgery, with an annual follow-up of 3 years after CI. The Impact on Participation and Autonomy questionnaire will be used to assess participation. Generalised models (linear, logistic, Poisson) will be used. Mixed effects models will be used to investigate changes over time while exploring differences in subgroups and the influence of covariates. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has received ethical approval from the Medical Ethical Committee of all participating centres. The results could provide valuable insights into changes in participatory outcomes of people with severe-to-profound hearing loss after CI. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences and professional and patient organisation meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05525221.

Patient-Specific Actual-Size Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Patient Education in Glioma Treatment: First Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer need high-quality information about disease stage, treatment options, and side effects. High-quality information can also improve health literacy, shared decision making, and satisfaction. We created patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) models of tumors including surrounding functional areas and assessed what patients with glioma value (or fear) about the models when they are used to educate them about the relationship between their tumor and specific brain parts, the surgical procedure, and risks. METHODS: This exploratory study included adult patients with glioma who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging as part of preoperative work-up. All participants received an actual-size 3D model printed based on functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. Semistructured interviews were conducted to identify facilitators and barriers for using the model and perceived effects. RESULTS: Models were successfully created for all 11 participants. There were 18 facilitators and 8 barriers identified. The model improved patients' understanding about their situation; patients reported that it was easier to ask their neurosurgeon questions based on their model and that it supported their decision about preferred treatment. A perceived barrier for using the 3D model was that it could be emotionally confronting, particularly in an early phase of the disease. Positive effects were related to psychological domains, including coping, learning effects, and communication. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific 3D models are promising and simple tools that could help patients with glioma better understand their situation, treatment options, and risks. These models have the potential to improve shared decision making.