Factors influencing appropriate vestibular care: An interview study with general practitioners and patients

General practitioners (GPs) frequently prescribe anti-vertigo drugs (AVDs), even though there is limited evidence for their effectiveness. Meanwhile, they rarely apply vestibular rehabilitation, a treatment for various vestibular disorders with a strong evidence base.

This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to appropriate vestibular care in general practice.

We conducted a qualitative study in Dutch general practice using semi-structured interviews with GPs and patients with vestibular symptoms. We used purposive sampling to select participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed following the Template Analysis approach using MAXQDA 2022 software.

We interviewed 11 GPs and 15 patients. We assessed barriers and facilitators to appropriate vestibular care for GPs (i.e. not prescribing AVDs, advising vestibular exercises) and patients (i.e. not using AVDs, doing vestibular exercises). We identified four themes: competence, mindset, relational determinants, and accessibility to care. Facilitators included adequate knowledge about vestibular disorders, GPs valuing delivering high-value care, positive experiences with physiotherapy, patients' coping skills, personal continuity, close collaboration between GP and colleagues, social support, and sufficient time and availability of providers. Barriers included diagnosis and treatment insecurity among GPs, patients doubting the GPs' competence, patients' desperation for treatment and GPs accommodating these wishes, positive experiences with AVDs, prescriptions by other providers, and insurance not covering physiotherapy.

Multiple barriers and facilitators shape appropriate vestibular care in general practice. Interventions should strengthen GPs' and patients' knowledge of vestibular management. Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation may address key barriers, particularly logistic and financial ones.