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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
Detailed knowledge of Ménière's disease was uncommon, and formal guidelines were not frequently consulted.
ENT Department, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, UK. emmalouisesmale@hotmail.com
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E
Smale
S
S
McDonald
N
N
Maha
S
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Short
D000328:Adult; D001621:Betahistine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003501:Cyclizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011346:Prochlorperazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D003501:Cyclizine; D001621:Betahistine; D011346:Prochlorperazine