At the Ida Institute, we are delighted to announce a new partnership with Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With one of the largest Au.D. programs in the US and significant experience in the field of person-centered healthcare, NSU is a valuable strategic addition to the Person-Centered Hearing Network (PCHN), bringing new insights and further expanding our joint reach.
Diversity at NSU
NSU is a majority-minority institution (i.e., more than 50% represent social, ethnic, or racial minorities) with students from more than 100 different countries. With this cultural and linguistic diversity, NSU offers unique patient engagement opportunities where a person-centered approach is vital. As such, NSU is well-versed in person-centered care (PCC) already, and several faculty members are funded through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
A natural fit
Ida's Managing Director, Lise Lotte Bundesen, says, “We are truly excited to welcome NSU to the PCHN. We have been following their work for years and consider them a natural fit. At Ida, we are passionate about embracing and supporting diversity in clinical practice – and with NSU’s rich expertise in that space, we see great potential for joint projects that will benefit the patient experience and broaden our scope.”
Propelling hearing healthcare forward
Nannette Nicholson, Professor in Audiology at NSU, says, “Person-centered care is a core value at NSU. We entered into partnership with the Ida Institute because we have common interests and common goals. Not only do we want to engage hearing healthcare recipients as equal partners and decision-makers in the diagnostic and management of their conditions – but we also wish to engage them as key stakeholders in research agendas.
"I am eager to engage in conversations with the wider PCHN and learn more about their larger vision. It is exciting to become part of such a vibrant community of creative thinkers who are propelling hearing healthcare forward – to be learning together with other like-minded individuals, organizations, and universities, and working together to influence the next generation of audiologists.”
Seeing the positive impact of PCC
In reflecting on her own PCC journey, Nicholson explains, “My personal experience in PCC is two-fold. I have experienced the lack of person-centered care up close and seen the negative impact and ramifications this can have in relation to the chronic conditions of family members.
"However, I have also experienced the presence of PCC and what a tremendous difference it can make. I have worked closely with family support groups to a) listen to the family’s experience, b) advocate for parental input into the process, c) support the principles of sharing unbiased information, and d) emphasize shared decision-making with emphasis on the family’s voice. Throughout these experiences, I have repeatedly seen the positive impact, which further deepens my commitment to person-centered care.”
Opportunities through PCORI
In considering possible joint projects, Nicholson mentions, “Through our partnership, it would be interesting to pursue PCORI funding for a project that will be mutually beneficial. PCORI funds research that offers patients and caregivers the information they need to make important healthcare decisions – so this could be highly relevant to our work.
"I am also interested in furthering Ida Institute initiatives by possibly revising some of the learning objectives of the courses I teach to better align with the Curriculum Guidelines developed by the PCHN academic members.”
A wonderful new chapter
Cherilee Rutherford, Senior Audiologist at the Ida Institute, says, “We are all really excited about welcoming NSU as our newest academic partner. For me, as an NSU alumnus, this new partnership is both personal and very special. I have wonderful memories from doing the course in London and have made lifelong friends in audiology as a result of that experience. It is going to be a wonderful new chapter to work together as partners in the PCHN network.”
PCHN
With this new partnership, NSU is joining 29 other organizations in the PCHN – a network consisting of universities, patient organizations, and professional organizations from around the world – all working together to further PCC in hearing healthcare.