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

Abstract

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