Role of open-ended questionnaires in patients with balance symptoms

Introduction: A clear and detailed clinical history is essential in the assessment of patients with balance symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of open-ended questionnaires in the specialist balance clinic. Methods: Fifty-four consecutive new patients completed an open-ended questionnaire, prior to a consultation in which the clinical history was taken using a standardised proforma. The results of the two were compared. Results: The open-ended questionnaires provided patient-centred data, and did not provide clinicians with sufficient data for diagnosis. Patients were more likely to respond in the affirmative when asked about symptoms directly, than to report the same symptoms spontaneously on an open-ended questionnaire. When questions had a number of possible answers, patients were more likely to report them in full in an open-ended questionnaire than to provide a response during direct questioning.