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Management of Ménière's disease in general practice: adherence to the UK National Health Service ‘Prodigy’ guidelines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2007

E Smale ,
S McDonald ,
N Maha  and
S Short
E Smale*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
S McDonald
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
N Maha
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
S Short
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Miss E Smale, ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torquay TQ2 7AA, UK. Fax: (+44) 01803 655011 E-mail: emmalouisesmale@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

Dizziness is a common presenting complaint in primary healthcare. One differential diagnosis is Ménière's disease. The UK National Health Service ‘Prodigy’ guidelines have been produced to help healthcare professionals to diagnose and manage Ménière's disease. The aim of this audit was to consider how Ménière's disease is managed in general practice, and to assess how well general practitioners adhere to the Prodigy guidelines.

Materials and methods:

We identified general practices near the Torbay region of south Devon which had a ‘TQ’ postcode. There were 41 practices, staffed by a total of 203 general practitioners. We wrote to each general practitioner, asking them to fill in a questionnaire regarding Ménière's disease. Our practice response rate was 68 per cent and our individual rate 43 per cent.

Results:

The mean correct answer rate was >50 per cent. The respondents achieved this despite few being aware of any formal guidelines, and none being aware of the Prodigy guidelines.

Conclusion:

Detailed knowledge of Ménière's disease was uncommon, and formal guidelines were not frequently consulted.

Keywords

Meniere's DiseaseDizzinessVertigoGuidelines
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 8 , August 2008 , pp. 780 - 785
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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