Analysis of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ear and hearing healthcare professionals regarding cognitive impairment and dementia in China

This study aimed to identify ear and hearing healthcare professionals’ current knowledge, attitudes, and practices in caring for people with cognitive impairment and dementia in China. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to eligible ear and hearing professionals in China. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices were compared among demographic factors. Linear regression assessed association between demographic information and survey responses. Structural equation model was used to identify mediation effects between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. 334 ear and hearing healthcare professionals. Respondents showed high knowledge and positive attitude towards providing ear and hearing care to patients with potential cognitive impairment, but lower practice scores. Multiple regression analysis showed that professional role significantly influenced practice behaviors. Mediation analysis demonstrated that around 25% of the effect of knowledge on practice was mediated by attitude. This study found significant differences between knowledge, attitudes, and practice among Chinese ear and hearing professionals regarding cognitive impairment and hearing loss. There is a need for practice guidelines and training to enhance care for patients with comorbid hearing and cognitive impairments. Addressing the knowledge–practice gap will also require system-level supports, including multidisciplinary referral pathways and closer integration of hearing and cognitive health services.

本研究旨在明确中国耳鼻咽喉与听力保健从业人员在照护认知障碍及痴呆患者时的现有知识、态度与实践现状。本研究采用横断面调查方法，向中国符合纳入标准的耳鼻咽喉与听力专业人员发放问卷。研究人员对比了不同人口统计学特征分组下的知识、态度与实践水平；通过线性回归分析人口统计学信息与问卷应答结果之间的关联；并采用结构方程模型（Structural Equation Model）探究知识、态度与实践之间的中介效应。本次调查共纳入334名耳鼻咽喉与听力保健从业人员作为研究对象。受访对象在为疑似认知障碍患者提供耳鼻咽喉及听力照护方面展现出较高的知识水平与积极态度，但实践评分相对较低。多元回归分析显示，职业角色对实践行为具有显著影响。中介效应分析表明，约25%的知识对实践的影响由态度介导实现。本研究发现，中国耳鼻咽喉与听力专业人员在认知障碍与听力损失相关照护的知识、态度及实践维度存在显著差异。当前亟需制定实践指南与开展相关培训，以提升共病听力与认知障碍患者的照护质量。弥合知识-实践差距还需要系统层面的支持，包括构建多学科转诊路径，推动听力健康与认知健康服务的深度融合。