Figure 2. Diagnoses made
Across both groups, specialty registrars were significantly more likely
to refer patients for vestibular physiotherapy, 9/33 (27%) of the time
vs. 3/52(6%) of the time for consultants (p=0.0091). Whilst
consultants, were significantly less likely to request any
investigations for patients in the QG 2/20 (10%) versus 14/30 (47%) in
the NQG, p=0.0055). The difference in likelihood of requesting an
investigation was not observed in the specialty registrar consultations.
There were no differences in observed outcomes in either group between
specialty registrars and consultants when it came to making a diagnosis,
requesting additional face-to-face appointments, discharging patients
and requesting telephone follow-up.
Sixteen patients who received and returned a completed questionnaire
16/35 (46%) found the questionnaire a positive addition to their
consultation, 3/35 (9%) did not find it a positive addition and 16/35
(46%) were unsure. The clinicians found the questionnaire helped the
consultation 24/35 (69%) of the time and thought that in 22/35 (63%)
of cases, they would have found the questionnaire helpful even in a
pre-COVID19, face-to-face consultation.