'Do you experience any dizziness or vertigo?'
This is a question you no doubt ask on your routine intake forms and in your initial case history, regardless of your clinic setting.
But what do you ask next?
-
If the answer is 'no' - do you leave it at that, or probe for more?
-
If the answer is 'yes' - what follow-up questions do you ask, and what do you do with the information given to you?
In the rehabilitation setting, we may skip straight to asking about tinnitus, head injuries or noise exposure as the next step. Let's take the opportunity to dig a little deeper in our case history, and think about what we really need to know and why. As non-vestibular audiologists, physiotherapists, audiometrists, other allied health providers, or general practitioners, we are broadly aware that we need to refer dizzy patients for specialized follow-up assessment. But how do we gather the most relevant and detailed information to inform these referrals, and direct the patient to the most effective help with the correct degree of urgency?
Grant Collins is a past President of Independent Audiologists Australia, Director and Principal Audiologist at QLD Vestibular + Cochlear Clinic, and a vestibular audiologist with many years of experience working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of ENT specialists, neurologists, physiotherapists and general practitioners. Join Grant for a deep dive into the case history for dizzy patients, identification of vestibular red flags, and a guide to efficient referral pathways.
Note: Attendance at this session is intended to enhance the knowledge base and improve the confidence of non-vestibular clinicians of all disciplines. All are welcome to attend: audiologists, audiometrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, other allied health professionals, general practitioners and nurses.
This webinar is NOT intended to expand scope of practice beyond registrants' existing qualifications and training.
You will not become ready to provide vestibular assessments, diagnoses or rehabilitation following this webinar without further training and supervised practice.
You will become better at taking a detailed vestibular case history, understanding the implications of patients' reported symptoms and presentation, and planning for timely and appropriate onward referral for specialist services!
We look forward to seeing you there!
**Rise & Grind Breakfast Series Webinars are recorded and made available to registrants for post-event viewing. We hope you can join us live, but if you're not able to make it on the day you are still welcome to register, and you will receive access to the recording to view at your convenience.**
