{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance Competent communication is not only vital in daily human interaction but is also an essential component in the exchange of information between healthcare professionals – including pharmacists – and their patients.Aim and Objectives The primary objective of this study was to evaluate, based on the results of a prospective, anonymous questionnaire- based survey, the communication competencies of pharmacists in interactions with patients experiencing varying degrees of hearing impairment.Material and Methods This study was approved by the appropriate bioethics committee. It was designed as a prospective, anonymous, questionnaire-based survey conducted among 130 pharmacists. The questionnaire was distributed as a printed document for manual completion as well as an interactive online form. The survey consisted of 19 questions, of which 18 were closed-ended and one was open-ended.Results The first group of questions addressed pharmacists’ communication skills. The second group pertained to adverse drug reactions associated with ototoxicity and to patient populations at increased risk of developing hearing loss. The third group focused on resources (including training) and technological tools that facilitate communication with individuals with hearing impairments. Analysis of responses from the 130 pharmacists revealed that the majority (52.31%) believed their previous training had not adequately prepared them to work with patients experiencing hearing loss. One-third of respondents indicated that information regarding adverse drug reactions affecting hearing should be more prominently emphasised in patient-facing educational materials provided within pharmacies. This finding underscores the need for enhanced inclusion of such information in materials related to medications with ototoxic effects and improved adaptation to the specific needs of hearing-impaired patients. 49.23% of respondents rated their ability to convey information to hearing-impaired patients as average, while 28.46% assessed their competencies as poor.Conclusion and Relevance The findings suggest that pharmacists perceive their communication skills with hearing-impaired patients as insufficient. Nevertheless, they are generally able to identify medicinal products with potential ototoxic effects and recognise patient groups in which underlying health conditions may elevate the risk of hearing loss. Deficits in training, education (particularly regarding communication strategies), and the availability of supportive materials and technologies are perceived as major obstacles to effective communication with hearing-impaired patients.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "1. Institute of Sensory Organs- 2. Centre of Hearing and Speech- 3. Medical University of Warsaw Pharmaceutical Department, Department of Clinical Trials- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care., Kajetany/Warsaw, Poland"
      ],
      "name": "MB Skarzynska"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical University of Warsaw, Pharmaceutical, Warsaw, Poland"
      ],
      "name": "W Chodkowska"
    }
  ],
  "title": "5PSQ-009 Communication between a pharmacist and a patient with hearing loss – prospective study",
  "uid": "4aa821ac-ed62-56ec-bc3f-2d4fbc84ba3f"
}