Interdisciplinary integration of nursing and psychiatry (INaP) for the treatment of dizziness.

OBJECTIVES: The traditional medical care model of "assess and refer" requires revamping to address the multifaceted needs of patients with chronic dizziness and imbalance by adopting an interdisciplinary approach to care that integrates nursing and psychiatry (INaP). We aim to present a novel interdisciplinary approach that incorporates INaP in the care of patients with chronic dizziness and imbalance. METHODS: Presentation of an interdisciplinary model of care that incorporates INaP provided at the Toronto General Hospital in Toronto, Canada. RESULTS: Interdisciplinary care incorporating INaP, which includes the provision of support from an interdisciplinary health care team (ie, neurotologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, physiotherapist, and nurse clinician), psychoeducation about the interaction between chronic dizziness and psychiatric comorbidities, and ongoing access to medical and psychosocial assessment and intervention, addresses the physical and emotional aspects of patients' experience with chronic dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: The novel comprehensive interdisciplinary approach incorporating INaP may be more effective than interdisciplinary care without INaP in improving clinical outcomes in patients with chronic dizziness. In the subsequent study, we present data comparing patients treated for chronic dizziness and imbalance with and without the integration of INaP in an interdisciplinary setting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 Laryngoscope, 130:1792-1799, 2020.

Assessment and treatment of dizziness and vertigo.

Dizziness is a common patient complaint with multiple etiologies. Many causes are benign, but NPs should consider red flags for serious differential diagnoses. A systematic patient history and physical exam are crucial to accurately diagnosing conditions related to dizziness. This article reviews common etiologies of dizziness and vertigo, assessment techniques, and treatment options.

Eventos associados ao cotidiano de idosos em hemodiálise / Events associated with the daily life of elderly under hemodialysis

Estudo tevepor objetivo analisar os eventos associados ao cotidiano de hemodiálise e as percepções de incômodo de idosos renais crônicos em tratamento hemodialítico. Estudo transversal, analítico de abordagem quantitativa realizado com 35 idosos em hemodiálise em uma Unidade Nefrológica do noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. A coleta de dados ocorreu nos meses de maio, junho e julho de 2010, por meio de formulário de caracterização sociodemográfica/clínica o Kidney Disease and Quality of Live-Short Form(KDQOL-SFTM). Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e Correlação de Spearmann. Quanto às características sociodemográficas, 74,3% eram homens, 65,7% com idade entre 60 e 70 anos, 60% casados. Quanto aos eventos associados ao tratamento hemodialítico, câimbras (60%) e fraqueza (57,1%) foram os mais apontados pelos idosos. Em relação às percepções dos idosos sobre os problemas que os incomodaram "extremamente" durante as quatro últimas semanas, os com maiores percentuais foram fraqueza ou tontura, esgotamento e dores musculares. Verificou-se correlação estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre dores musculares, dor no peito, esgotamento e fraqueza/tontura e interferência da doença renal em suas vidas. Conclui-se que esses resultados permitem compreender aspectos peculiares envolvidos no cuidado de enfermagem e proporciona aos profissionais maiores subsídios para embasar sua atuação.

This study aimed to analyzing the events associated with daily hemodialysis and the perceptions of nuisance in elderly CKD on hemodialysis. Cross-sectional analytical study of quantitative approach carried out with 35 elderlies under hemodialysis in a northwestern Nephrological Unit of Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection took place during the months of May, June and July 2010, through a socio-demographic/clinical form, the Kidney Disease and Quality of Live-Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM). Data were analyzed usingdescriptive statistics and Spearman Correlation. Regarding the socio-demographic characteristics 74,3% were men, 65,7% aged 60 to 70 years old, 60% were married. In respect for the events associated with hemodialysis, cramps (60%) and weakness (57,1%) were the most frequently reported by the elderly. Regarding perceptions of the elderly about the problems that bother "extremely" during the last four weeks, with the highest percentages were weakness or dizziness, exhaustion and muscle pain. Statistically significant correlation was found (p<0,05) muscle aches, chest pain, exhaustion and weakness/dizziness and interference of renal disease in their lives. In conclusion, these results allow us to understand specific aspects involved in nursing care and providethe largest professional knowledge to sustain their actions.

Symptoms associated with mild traumatic brain injury/concussion: the role of bother.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects 1.4 million Americans annually, and mild TBI (MTBI) accounts for approximately 75% of those injured. For those with mild injury who seek treatment in an emergency department, there is inconsistency in the management and follow-up recommendations. Approximately, 38% of patients treated in the emergency department for MTBI are discharged with no recommendations for follow-up. In addition, there are an unknown number of persons with MTBI who do not seek healthcare after their injury. Persons with MTBI are, for the most part, managing their concussion symptoms on their own. The purpose of this study was to describe the symptom experience for persons with mild TBI and identify whether there was an association between being bothered by symptoms and self-management of symptoms. The sample for this study included 30 persons with MTBI and a 30-person comparison group. Results indicate that persons within 3 months of their MTBI report an average of 19 symptoms, whereas the comparison group reported six symptoms, and that the most frequently reported symptoms are not always the symptoms rated as most severe or most bothersome. Persons with MTBI reported their most common symptoms to be headache (n = 25, 83%), feeling tired (n = 24, 80%), difficulty thinking and being irritable (each n = 22, 73%), dizziness, trouble remembering, and being forgetful (each n = 21, 70%). There is a significant relationship between overall reports of being bothered by symptoms and the use of symptom management strategies (F = 8.322, p = .008). Persons are more likely to use symptom management strategies when they are bothered by the symptoms. Nurses can assist with symptom self-management by providing simple symptom management strategies to assist with the symptom management process. Early symptom management for the MTBI population may improve the outcomes such as return to work and role functions, for this population.

Dizziness, vertigo, and presyncope: what's the difference?

Dizziness is a general term used to express subjective patient complaints related to changes in sensation, movement, perception, or consciousness. There are four types of dizziness: vertigo, disequilibrium, presyncope/syncope, and dizziness as a result of psychological disturbances. Differentiating the type of dizziness will assist in the course of the evaluation.

Diagnosing and treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Gerontological nurses play a critical role in the early recognition of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a condition that accounts for approximately 50% of vertigo in older adults. BPPV results in vertigo when debris collects in one or more of the semicircular canals, most typically the posterior canal. It may be differentiated from other forms of vertigo because it results in dizziness when recumbent or with head position changes. BPPV may be successfully treated with repositioning therapy, such as the Epley maneuver. Nurses working in medical offices, longterm care facilities, and assisted living may be called on to perform this maneuver. Gerontological nurses play a key role in assessing and treating BPPV, therefore minimizing unnecessary testing and medication and reducing the suffering and expense for patients with this condition.

Effectiveness of primary care-based vestibular rehabilitation for chronic dizziness.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a very common symptom and is usually managed in primary care. Vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness is a simple treatment that may be suitable for primary care delivery, but its effectiveness has not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-delivered vestibular rehabilitation in primary care for patients with chronic dizziness. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: 20 general practices in southern England. PATIENTS: 170 adult patients with chronic dizziness who were randomly assigned to vestibular rehabilitation (n = 83) or usual medical care (n = 87). INTERVENTION: Each patient received one 30- to 40-minute appointment with a primary care nurse. The nurse taught the patient exercises to be carried out daily at home, with the support of a treatment booklet. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measures were baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessment of self-reported spontaneous and provoked symptoms of dizziness, dizziness-related quality of life, and objective measurement of postural stability with eyes open and eyes closed. RESULTS: At 3 months, improvement on all primary outcome measures in the vestibular rehabilitation group was significantly greater than in the usual medical care group; this improvement was maintained at 6 months. Of 83 treated patients, 56 (67%) reported clinically significant improvement compared with 33 of 87 (38%) usual care patients (relative risk, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.31 to 2.42]). LIMITATIONS: Psychological elements of the therapy may have contributed to outcomes, and the treatment may be effective only for well-motivated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular rehabilitation delivered by nurses in general practice improves symptoms, postural stability, and dizziness-related handicap in patients with chronic dizziness.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy for the patient with dizziness and balance disorders.

Vestibular disorders and balance dysfunctions affect a significant number of patients seeking treatment from otolaryngologists. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) has been shown to be a highly efficacious treatment modality for a majority of individuals with vestibular or central balance system disorders, or a combined etiology. Assessment methods, treatment paradigms, and recommendations for referral are presented.