ArticleSouth African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care2025
Patient safety incidences: Perspectives of South African audiologists.
Article in South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPatient safety incidents (PSIs) in audiology have received limited attention compared to other health care professions in South Africa, despite their potential to significantly impact patient well-being. This study explores audiologists' experiences of PSIs and the factors contributing to their emergence.
methodsA qualitative, contextual, descriptive exploratory research design was employed. Individual semi-structured online interviews were conducted with eight audiologists working in South Africa. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.
resultsParticipants highlighted that PSIs in audiology are often underestimated, yet they can profoundly affect patients' quality of life. Inadequate university training on PSIs was identified as a key contributing factor. Technological advancements, such as over-the-counter hearing aids and automated assessments, were viewed as potential risks without proper professional oversight. Organisational support varied, with clearer protocols observed in the public sector than in private practice. In addition, staff shortages and high workloads increased the likelihood of PSIs by compromising patient care. To mitigate these risks, participants recommended enhanced training, stricter regulation of hearing technologies and improved patient education.
conclusionThis study underscores the need for greater recognition and proactive management of PSIs in audiology. Addressing training gaps, strengthening organisational support and implementing regulatory measures for emerging technologies are essential to improving patient safety outcomes.Contribution: This study expands the understanding of PSIs in audiology and offers insights that can inform curriculum reform and professional development initiatives in South Africa.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.