Survey of Physical Therapists' Views on and Referral Processes for Objective Vestibular Testing

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Physical Therapy
• Vestibular System Disorders

Background:

• Referral pathways for patients with dizziness are complex and lack standardized guidelines.
• There is a need for clear protocols for referring patients with vestibular symptoms from physical therapy to audiology for formal testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey physical therapists (PTs) on their referral processes to vestibular audiologists.
• To identify PTs' familiarity with objective vestibular testing and its impact on treatment planning.
• To assess how formal vestibular testing aids in creating targeted treatment plans for dizzy patients.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach utilizing electronic surveys distributed to PTs across six associations.
• 109 responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Referral triggers include central indications, lack of symptom improvement, evaluation inconsistencies, and vestibulotoxic medication history.
• Most PTs (87.2%) are familiar with formal vestibular testing, and 67.9% feel comfortable interpreting results.
• Videonystagmography and Video Head Impulse Test are considered most useful; 66.1% of PTs use test results to guide treatment.

Conclusions:

• PTs demonstrate understanding of vestibular testing, but a lack of clear referral guidelines presents a barrier to collaborative care.
• Enhanced access to formal vestibular testing and improved communication between PTs and audiologists are crucial.
• Further research should focus on developing specific guideline criteria for PTs and audiologists to optimize patient care pathways.