訪問看護師による高齢者の難聴ケアに関する困難

Challenges Faced by Visiting Nurses in the Provision of Care for the Elderly With Hearing Loss

要旨

　目的：訪問看護師による高齢者の難聴ケアに関する困難を明らかにすること．

　方法：訪問看護師21名を対象に，高齢者の難聴ケアに関する困難についてフォーカスグループインタビュー調査を実施し，計量テキスト分析を実施した．

　結果：訪問看護師は〔難聴判断や耳鼻科の受診サポートを訪問時間内で実施する難しさ〕〔補聴器の知識不足と難聴対応への戸惑い〕〔難聴高齢者との会話に関する困難〕〔耳掃除に関する不安と準備や時間調整の難しさ〕〔難聴ケアにおける他職種との協働・連携の希薄さ〕について困難を抱えていた．

　結論：高齢者の難聴ケアを実施する訪問看護師に対し，難聴ケアに関する知識や技術，コミュニケーション方法や難聴ケアに携わる専門機関や専門職との連携に関する教育的支援の必要性が示唆された．

　Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the challenges faced by visiting nurses in providing care to the elderly with hearing loss.

　Methods: A focus-group, interview-based study was conducted with 21 visiting nurses regarding challenges associated with providing care to the elderly with hearing loss. Further, a quantitative text analysis was performed.

　Results: Visiting nurses experienced challenges in the following areas: challenges in assessing hearing loss and facilitating otolaryngology consultations within the visit duration, insufficient knowledge about hearing aids and bewilderment about managing hearing loss, challenges in communicating with older adults with hearing loss, concerns regarding ear cleaning and challenges in preparation and scheduling, and lack of collaboration and coordination with other professionals in the provision of care for older adults with hearing loss.

　Conclusion: The findings suggest a need for educational support for visiting nurses who provide care to older adults with hearing loss. This support should encompass knowledge and skills pertaining to care for patients with hearing loss, communication strategies, and collaboration with specialized institutions and professionals engaged in care services for patients with hearing loss.