Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience of a new multidisciplinary balance clinic for the management of patients with vestibular disorders, run as a pilot project for 12 months.
DESIGN: Retrospective review of the outcomes of 194 patients.
SUBJECTS: All patients were first evaluated at the balance assessment clinic. Subsequently, each case was discussed at the multidisciplinary balance clinic weekly review meeting, and management decisions made.
RESULTS: The mean waiting time for the balance assessment clinic was 12 weeks (standard deviation six weeks). In total, 74 per cent of patients underwent rehabilitation, 26 per cent were seen in the balance specialist clinic, 15 per cent underwent additional testing, 6 per cent were followed up in adult otology clinics and one patient was listed for surgery. The waiting time for vestibular rehabilitation was reduced from 21 to 15 weeks. Patient satisfaction with the service was encouraging, and no adverse outcomes were recorded.
CONCLUSION: This multidisciplinary balance clinic, run by allied health professionals, represents an alternative model for the management of patients with balance disorders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 661-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | The Journal of laryngology and otology |
| Volume | 125 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2011 |
| Event | 27th Politzer-Society Meeting - London, United Kingdom Duration: 3 Sept 2009 → 5 Sept 2009 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Allied Health Personnel
- Clinical Competence
- Female
- Great Britain
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care)
- Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
- Patient Care Team
- Patient Satisfaction
- Pilot Projects
- Postural Balance
- Referral and Consultation
- Retrospective Studies
- State Medicine
- Time Factors
- Triage
- Vestibular Diseases
- Waiting Lists
- Young Adult