Demonstrating a paradigm shift in the aprorach to vertigo in primary care. VERTAP Project

Eva Peguero, Josep Lluis Ballve, Yolanda Rando, Iván Villar, Sebastià Calero, Jennifer Elizabeth Perez, Olga Lucia Arias, Oriol Cunillera, Jesus Almeda

Background:

Vertigo is a prevalent pathology whose most frequent cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The treatment of this disease are relocation maneuvers. Although these maneuvers are effective, they are not done routinely.

Research questions:

Is effective a blended course carried out in primary care to improve the professionals adherence to clinical practice guidelines?

Method:

A randomized community trial, by conglomerates (control group -CG- / intervention group -IG-), multicentric and open, taking as unit of allocation the primary health care center (PCC). The professionals of the PCC that are IG would receive the training (the training is online) at the beginning of the study and those of the control group will be offered after concluding it. Scope: 20 PCC of "Dirección de Atención Primaria Costa de Ponent," 10 in the IG and 10 in the CG. The outcome variables will be: Improvement of adherence to guidelines: These variables will be collected in all the population assigned in the follow-up period. Diagnostic records (decrease in diagnoses such as dizziness and increase in specific diagnoses such as BPPV, vestibular neuritis). Decrease of number of referrals to Otorrinolaringologist and neurologist. Decrease in antivertiginous medications prescribed.

Results:

None results yet. This project has won a FISS grant in 2019.

Conclusions:

Points for discussion:

Positive results of the study will imply a paradigm shift in the approach to vertigo.

The course which would be easy to extend to other areas.

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