Cockburn Ear Portal: An Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Audiology referral portal for improving access to ear health services for Aboriginal children in metropolitan areas using telehealth

Screening ear health assessments including medical history, otoscopy, tympanometry, audiometry and otoacoustics emissions testing appropriate for the child's age will be collected by the research assistant in the community during a single face to face visit. If the child has otitis media requiring assessment by ENT/Audiology at Perth Children's Hospital (PCH), a referral and the results will be transfered electronically to the PCH multidisciplinary team (MDT) consisting of an ENT doctor, audiologist, paediatrician and ENT clinical nurse specialist. If the child does not have otitis media requiring MDT assessment, they will be screenfailed from the study and appropriate further follow up arranged (e.g. discharge from care, follow up with GP etc.). The MDT will look at the results and develop an ear health care plan for the participant. The care plan may include further follow up ear health assessments (watching and waiting), prescribing antibiotics, referral for surgery etc. The ear health care plan will be sent back to the research assistant in the community for implementation with the participant as soon as possible. The participant has the option of a live video consultation with the MDT if they wish. All participating children will be receive the Ear Portal telehealth service. The time until assessment will be calculated from initial referral until Ear Portal telehealth assessment.