Results
115 patients were randomised, 57 to receive a questionnaire
(questionnaire group QG) and 58 to not receive a questionnaire
(non-questionnaire group NQG) (See Figure 1). All patients were
contacted and offered a telephone consultation for their balance
complaint. Some patients were not contactable or declined the
consultation as their problem had resolved. In the QG 40/57patients
completed and returned the questionnaire in the envelopes provided,
giving a response rate of 70%. Five of these patients’ questionnaire
arrived in the post after their appointment, but as they had completed
it which likely affected their ability to articulate their symptoms,
they were included in the study. Thirty-five 35/57 (61%)
patients in the QG and 47/58 (81%) patients in the NQG were included in
the analysis. The age range of patients was 13 – 95 years with a mean
age of 59 years old. Fifty-seven patients were female 57/82 (70%) of
the patients were female. Five different clinicians conducted the
consultations, three consultants and two specialist registrars.
Fifty-two patients, 52/85 (61%) of patients had their consultation with
an ENT consultant and 33/85 (39%) with a specialty registrar. In the QG
22/38 (51%) were seen by a consultant whilst in the NQG 30/47 (64%)
patients were seen by a consultant. The mean duration of telephone
consultations was 13 mins (range 3 -31 mins) with no difference between
the two groups (p=1).