Auditory processing disorder in children: Awareness and attitudes of UK GPs and ENT Consultants

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Abstract
A survey conducted in 2004 highlighted a lack of awareness about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) amongst audiologists and speech and language therapists in the UK. This was to be expected due to the lack of epidemiological information available and the lack of consensus over definition, diagnostic markers, and comorbidity. At present, although beginning to accrue, there is still a paucity of published information in the UK, so it is unlikely that awareness levels among health professionals will have improved greatly. The lack of knowledge among audiologists is concerning: audiological assessment is key for a diagnosis of APD. This study aims to address a potentially greater problem, the awareness of and attitudes towards APD of ‘front line’ health professionals – GPs and ENT Consultants (ENT-Cs). Awareness at this level is essential for appropriate referral to ensure the child's needs are addressed as soon as possible, thus also meeting the guidelines of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Children. A short questionnaire was developed to assess awareness and perceived impact of APD, attitudes towards referral and opinions on APD meeting with the ethos of the NSF for Children. The questionnaire was posted to a large number of GPs and ENT-Cs across England and Wales. The overall response rate was 45%, with a slightly greater response from the ENT-Cs. There was evidence of a lack of awareness of APD for both professions, with GPs reporting significantly lesser awareness. Only a minimal number from either profession reported that they would definitely refer for APD assessment. Impact was considered by both professions to be moderate to great with GPs reporting greater perceived impact. The majority of respondents did not recognize that the care pathway for APD does not meet with the ethos of the NSF. The findings support the need for further guidance and training programmes for these health professionals to help develop and improve the care pathway, and hence the outcomes, for children with APD.