Telephone consultations
Of the 75 patients included in the telephone clinic cohort, the mean age
was 54 years (range 20-91), with patients waiting a mean of 14 months
from referral to review (range 3-24). Referral sources included GP (68),
internal otorhinolaryngology referrals from a different subspecialty
(2), external otorhinolaryngology departments (1), Audiology (2), Renal
Medicine (1) and Neurosurgery (1). Presenting symptoms for patients in
the telephone cohort are summarised in table 4. 22/75 patients (29%)
were discharged, with no patients added to a waiting list for treatment.
Outcomes for the discharged patients are summarised in table 5.
Follow-up appointments were arranged for 53/75 (71%) of patients. 52/75
follow-up appointments were face-to-face for clinical examination,
hearing tests or microsuction. One patient was offered telephone
follow-up to discuss the results of a CT scan. 64/75 (85%) of patients
were seen by a consultant in clinic and 11/75 (15%) were seen by a
registrar.