The priorities of elderly patients suffering from dizziness: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Integrating patients' priorities can improve the quality of care in general practice. Therefore, we aimed to learn more about patients' priorities in terms of their dizziness complaints. Methods: Patients were recruited by nine general practitioners. Inclusion criteria were an age of at least 65 years and dizziness due to any cause for any duration, assuring heterogeneity of included patients. Semi-structured interviews of 20 patients (12 women, mean age 79 years) were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results: Patients were very much focused on finding causes for their dizziness, and some found their doctor had not taken the dizziness problem seriously yet. Each patient expressed own theories of aetiology that sometimes revealed apparent misconceptions of possible causes. Treatment aims were prioritised by patients in different ways (wish for recovery, relief or stabilisation). Some patients had not very well understood common therapy options, and interviewees frequently mentioned what they did on their own to face the dizziness (self-help measures). Remarkably, many patients were very much concerned about different aspects of mobility (fear of falling, loss of independence).

Conclusion: These patients' lack of understanding, their resources and concerns indicate the importance of a patient-centred communication about their dizziness complaints.

Key words::

• General practice
• geriatrics
• signs and symptoms
• dizziness
• patient-centred care
• qualitative research

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all participating patients and GPs. This study was funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (grant no. 01GK0611).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.