Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T13:42:10.657Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Development of a physiotherapy-led balance clinic: the Aintree model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2014

A V Kasbekar ,
N Mullin ,
C Morrow ,
A M Youssef ,
T Kay  and
T H Lesser
A V Kasbekar*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
N Mullin
Affiliation:
Department of Physiotherapy, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
C Morrow
Affiliation:
Department of Physiotherapy, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
A M Youssef
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
T Kay
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
T H Lesser
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Anand Kasbekar, 36 North Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool L18 8BP, UK Fax: +44 (0)1270 273462, E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To create a ‘one-stop’ clinic in which assessment, diagnosis, treatment and therapies for most patients presenting with balance and dizziness disorders are delivered simultaneously.

Methods:

Patients triaged via referral letters were selected to attend the balance clinic, which is led by specialist balance physiotherapists. Patients were seen by an audiologist, and a ‘balance’ ENT consultant was available for joint consultations when required. Further details of the clinic set up are discussed.

Results:

Over an 18-month period, 200 new ‘dizzy’ patients attended the clinic. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and labyrinthitis were the commonest diagnoses. Fifty per cent of all patients were discharged after a single clinic visit. Questionnaires showed that patient satisfaction was high.

Conclusion:

The physiotherapy-led balance clinic has reduced patient waiting times to be seen, has a high level of patient satisfaction and is economically beneficial.

Keywords

Postural BalanceAmbulatory Care FacilitiesPhysical Therapists
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 11 , November 2014 , pp. 966 - 971
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Kroenke, K, Price, RK. Symptoms in the community. Prevalence, classification, and psychiatric comorbidity. Arch Intern Med 1993;153:2474–80CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Yardley, L, Owen, N, Nazareth, I, Luxon, L. Prevalence and presentation of dizziness in a general practice community sample of working age people. Br J Gen Pract 1998;48:1131–5Google Scholar
3Davis, A, Moorjani, P. The Epidemiology of Hearing and Balance Disorders. In: Luxon, L, Furman, JM, Martini, A, Stephens, D, eds. Textbook of Audiological Medicine. London: Martin Dunitz; 2003Google Scholar
4Jayarajan, V, Rajenderkumar, D. A survey of dizziness management in General Practice. J Laryngol Otol 2003;117:599–604CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Department of Health. The NHS Improvement Plan. London: The Stationery Office; 2004Google Scholar
6British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons (BAO-HNS). Balance 2008. Excellence in Practice – the provision of adult balance services by otolaryngologists. London: BAO-HNS; 2008Google Scholar
7Lee, A, Jones, G, Corcoran, J, Premachandra, P, Morrison, GA. A UK hospital based multidisciplinary balance clinic run by allied health professionals: first year results. J Laryngol Otol 2011;125:661–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Leong, AC, Barker, F, Bleach, NR. Primary assessment of the vertiginous patient at a pre-ENT balance clinic. J Laryngol Otol 2008;122:132–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Royal College of Physicians. Hearing and balance disorders: achieving excellence in diagnosis and management. Report of a Working Party. London: RCP; 2007Google Scholar