Balance clinic: Triage tool assessment. Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of a validated dizziness questionnaire as a triage tool to an ENT balance clinic
IRAS ID
314018
Contact name
Irene Knox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Southern HSC Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
A common referral to ENT from primary care is patients with balance issues. Patients are commonly referred wither ‘vertigo’, meaning a sensation of spinning or experience of movement. There are a wide range of pathologies which can present with ‘vertigo’, including peripheral inner ear pathology and central or brain pathology.
The aim of this study is to determine if the use of a validated dizziness questionnaire is effective as a triage tool to determine which patients are likely to be suffering from peripheral, or otologic causes of vertigo. If the use of a questionnaire is a strong predictor of diagnosis, this will allow patients to be triaged into an appropriate balance clinic at their first face to face review in which they are reviewed by ENT consultants with a specific interest in balance.
The authors aim to determine if use of the questionnaire is as effective and accurate as telephone consultations which aim to also triage patients into a balance clinic. This can allow patients with vestibular disorders to attend balance clinics, helping to the reduce their overall waiting time and reduce the need for onward referrals to the balance clinic from general ENT clinics.
In challenging times for healthcare with ever growing waiting lists, it is important that we utilise effective, low cost and accessible tests to improve diagnosis and improve the pathway for patients.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
22/WA/0140
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion