RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine patient education knowledge, attitude/belief, and practices (KABP) among specialists who manage sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed wherein semi-structured interviews were conducted at a 2017 otorhinolaryngology meeting. In this survey, we asked the respondents about their perspectives regarding the imparting of SSNHL patient education. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 84 physicians from 23 cities in Sichuan province. Three quarters of the respondents felt SSNHL patient education was necessary. Notably, 67.9% of the respondents believed that patient education could improve treatment. Half of the respondents provided culturally tailored education (based on US guidelines) inclusive of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) notions of lifestyle adjustments. Internet platforms were an emerging preference for education delivery mode. Only 47.4% of participants reported being satisfied with their current patient education offerings, and these activities were regarded as needing improvement. CONCLUSION: This study captured the perspectives of otorhinolaryngologists and otologists in China regarding the imparting of SSNHL patient education. The results of this survey should support Chinese physician's implementation of SSNHL patient education. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings obtained with the present survey may be employed to support the importance of SSNHL patient education in China.