A Dizzying Complaint: Investigating the Intended Meaning of Dizziness Among Patients and Providers

John M Sommerfeldt; Jakob L Fischer; Danielle A Morrison; Edward D McCoul; Charles A Riley; Anthony M Tolisano

doi:10.1002/lary.29271

A Dizzying Complaint: Investigating the Intended Meaning of Dizziness Among Patients and Providers

John M Sommerfeldt, Jakob L Fischer, Danielle A Morrison, Edward D McCoul, Charles A Riley, Anthony M Tolisano

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess for semantic differences regarding the definition of dizziness among otolaryngology patients, otolaryngologists, and non-otolaryngologist providers.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS: Between March and May 2020, a survey consisting of 20 common descriptors for dizziness within five domains (lightheadedness, motion sensitivity, imbalance, vision complaints, and pain) was completed by patients at two outpatient otolaryngology clinics. Surveys were subsequently obtained from otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers attending a multidisciplinary dizziness lecture. The primary outcome measure was to assess for differences in definition of dizziness between patients and providers. Secondary outcome measures included assessing differences between otolaryngologists and non-otolaryngologists.

RESULTS: About 221 patients and 100 providers participated. Patients selected a median of 7 terms compared to 8 for providers (P = .375), although providers had a larger overall distribution of number of terms selected (P = .038). Patients were more likely than providers to define dizziness according to the following domains: lightheadedness (difference 15.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5%-25.3%), vision complaints (difference 21.6%, 95% CI 12.0%-29.6%), and pain (difference 11.5%, 95% CI 4.7%-17.1%). Providers were more likely to define dizziness according to the motion sensitivity domain (difference 13.8%, 95% CI 6.8%-19.6%). Otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers defined dizziness similarly across symptom domains.

CONCLUSION: Although patients and providers both view dizziness as imbalance, patients more commonly describe dizziness in the context of lightheadedness, vision complaints, and pain, whereas providers more frequently define dizziness according to motion sensitivity. These semantic differences create an additional barrier to effective patient-provider communication.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 131:E1443-E1449, 2021.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	E1443-E1449
Journal	Laryngoscope
Volume	131
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.29271
State	Published - May 2021

Keywords

Adult
Aged
Communication
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dizziness/diagnosis
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Otolaryngologists/statistics & numerical data
Physician-Patient Relations
Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical data

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@article{730978e1b186468fb1205ff33a310372,

title = "A Dizzying Complaint: Investigating the Intended Meaning of Dizziness Among Patients and Providers",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess for semantic differences regarding the definition of dizziness among otolaryngology patients, otolaryngologists, and non-otolaryngologist providers.STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.METHODS: Between March and May 2020, a survey consisting of 20 common descriptors for dizziness within five domains (lightheadedness, motion sensitivity, imbalance, vision complaints, and pain) was completed by patients at two outpatient otolaryngology clinics. Surveys were subsequently obtained from otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers attending a multidisciplinary dizziness lecture. The primary outcome measure was to assess for differences in definition of dizziness between patients and providers. Secondary outcome measures included assessing differences between otolaryngologists and non-otolaryngologists.RESULTS: About 221 patients and 100 providers participated. Patients selected a median of 7 terms compared to 8 for providers (P = .375), although providers had a larger overall distribution of number of terms selected (P = .038). Patients were more likely than providers to define dizziness according to the following domains: lightheadedness (difference 15.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5%-25.3%), vision complaints (difference 21.6%, 95% CI 12.0%-29.6%), and pain (difference 11.5%, 95% CI 4.7%-17.1%). Providers were more likely to define dizziness according to the motion sensitivity domain (difference 13.8%, 95% CI 6.8%-19.6%). Otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers defined dizziness similarly across symptom domains.CONCLUSION: Although patients and providers both view dizziness as imbalance, patients more commonly describe dizziness in the context of lightheadedness, vision complaints, and pain, whereas providers more frequently define dizziness according to motion sensitivity. These semantic differences create an additional barrier to effective patient-provider communication.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 131:E1443-E1449, 2021.",

keywords = "Adult, Aged, Communication, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dizziness/diagnosis, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Otolaryngologists/statistics & numerical data, Physician-Patient Relations, Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical data",

author = "Sommerfeldt, {John M} and Fischer, {Jakob L} and Morrison, {Danielle A} and McCoul, {Edward D} and Riley, {Charles A} and Tolisano, {Anthony M}",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2020 American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society Inc, {"}The Triological Society{"} and American Laryngological Association (ALA).",

year = "2021",

month = may,

doi = "10.1002/lary.29271",

language = "English",

volume = "131",

pages = "E1443--E1449",

journal = "Laryngoscope",

issn = "0023-852X",

number = "5",

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T1 - A Dizzying Complaint

T2 - Investigating the Intended Meaning of Dizziness Among Patients and Providers

AU - Sommerfeldt, John M

AU - Fischer, Jakob L

AU - Morrison, Danielle A

AU - McCoul, Edward D

AU - Riley, Charles A

AU - Tolisano, Anthony M

PY - 2021/5

Y1 - 2021/5

N2 - OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess for semantic differences regarding the definition of dizziness among otolaryngology patients, otolaryngologists, and non-otolaryngologist providers.STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.METHODS: Between March and May 2020, a survey consisting of 20 common descriptors for dizziness within five domains (lightheadedness, motion sensitivity, imbalance, vision complaints, and pain) was completed by patients at two outpatient otolaryngology clinics. Surveys were subsequently obtained from otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers attending a multidisciplinary dizziness lecture. The primary outcome measure was to assess for differences in definition of dizziness between patients and providers. Secondary outcome measures included assessing differences between otolaryngologists and non-otolaryngologists.RESULTS: About 221 patients and 100 providers participated. Patients selected a median of 7 terms compared to 8 for providers (P = .375), although providers had a larger overall distribution of number of terms selected (P = .038). Patients were more likely than providers to define dizziness according to the following domains: lightheadedness (difference 15.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5%-25.3%), vision complaints (difference 21.6%, 95% CI 12.0%-29.6%), and pain (difference 11.5%, 95% CI 4.7%-17.1%). Providers were more likely to define dizziness according to the motion sensitivity domain (difference 13.8%, 95% CI 6.8%-19.6%). Otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers defined dizziness similarly across symptom domains.CONCLUSION: Although patients and providers both view dizziness as imbalance, patients more commonly describe dizziness in the context of lightheadedness, vision complaints, and pain, whereas providers more frequently define dizziness according to motion sensitivity. These semantic differences create an additional barrier to effective patient-provider communication.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 131:E1443-E1449, 2021.

AB - OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess for semantic differences regarding the definition of dizziness among otolaryngology patients, otolaryngologists, and non-otolaryngologist providers.STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.METHODS: Between March and May 2020, a survey consisting of 20 common descriptors for dizziness within five domains (lightheadedness, motion sensitivity, imbalance, vision complaints, and pain) was completed by patients at two outpatient otolaryngology clinics. Surveys were subsequently obtained from otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers attending a multidisciplinary dizziness lecture. The primary outcome measure was to assess for differences in definition of dizziness between patients and providers. Secondary outcome measures included assessing differences between otolaryngologists and non-otolaryngologists.RESULTS: About 221 patients and 100 providers participated. Patients selected a median of 7 terms compared to 8 for providers (P = .375), although providers had a larger overall distribution of number of terms selected (P = .038). Patients were more likely than providers to define dizziness according to the following domains: lightheadedness (difference 15.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5%-25.3%), vision complaints (difference 21.6%, 95% CI 12.0%-29.6%), and pain (difference 11.5%, 95% CI 4.7%-17.1%). Providers were more likely to define dizziness according to the motion sensitivity domain (difference 13.8%, 95% CI 6.8%-19.6%). Otolaryngology and non-otolaryngology providers defined dizziness similarly across symptom domains.CONCLUSION: Although patients and providers both view dizziness as imbalance, patients more commonly describe dizziness in the context of lightheadedness, vision complaints, and pain, whereas providers more frequently define dizziness according to motion sensitivity. These semantic differences create an additional barrier to effective patient-provider communication.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 131:E1443-E1449, 2021.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Communication

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Dizziness/diagnosis

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Otolaryngologists/statistics & numerical data

KW - Physician-Patient Relations

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires/statistics & numerical data

U2 - 10.1002/lary.29271

DO - 10.1002/lary.29271

M3 - Article

C2 - 33185282

SN - 0023-852X

VL - 131

SP - E1443-E1449

JO - Laryngoscope

JF - Laryngoscope

IS - 5

ER -

A Dizzying Complaint: Investigating the Intended Meaning of Dizziness Among Patients and Providers

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Keywords

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