Jidhin Raj¹*, Simi Grace Joseph² and Gayathri Prakash Anand³

¹Consultant Neurologist, Smita Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India
²6th Year Pharm D, Nirmala College of Pharmacy, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India
³Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Al Azhar Dental College, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India

*Corresponding Author: Jidhin Raj, Consultant Neurologist, Smita Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Thodupuzha, Kerala, India.

Received: September 08, 2023; Published: October 29, 2023

Abstract

Headaches constitute a pervasive neurological condition globally, exerting a profound influence on an individual's quality of life and productivity. Effective headache diagnosis and management are imperative to alleviate symptoms, reduce recurrence, and mitigate associated impairments. This research article presents a comprehensive pre- and post-audit study, focusing on the alignment of hospital practices with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for headache diagnosis and management in patients over 12 years of age. In this study, we employ a systematic approach, encompassing data collection, analysis, and interpretation, to assess healthcare practices, identify areas of adherence, and pinpoint potential deviations from NICE guidelines. The methodology involves a meticulous review of patient records, structured interviews with healthcare professionals, and the use of a checklist derived from specific NICE recommendations relevant to headache care. By analyzing and comparing pre-audit and post-audit data, this study unveils significant improvements in critical aspects of headache management, indicating a commitment to evidence-based practices and patient-centered care. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing quality improvement initiatives and adherence to evidence-based guidelines in optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing the healthcare experience for individuals seeking relief from headaches.

Keywords: Headaches; NICE Guidelines; Diagnosis; Management; Healthcare Practices; Patient Care; Preaudit; Post-Audit; Evidence-Based Guidelines

References

1. Overview | Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management | Guidance |NICE (2012).
2. Allais G., et al. “Gender-related differences in migraine”. Neurological Sciences 2 (2020): 429-436.
3. Peters M., et al. “Patients’ decision-making for migraine and chronic daily headache management. A qualitative study”. Cephalalgia: An International Journal of Headache 8 (2003): 833-841.
4. Holle D and Obermann M. “The role of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of headache disorders”. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders 6 (2013):369-374.

Citation

Citation: Jidhin Raj., et al. “Assessment of Hospital Practices in Aligning with NICE Guidelines for Headache Diagnosis and Management in Individuals Over 12 Years of Age: A Comparative Pre- and Post-Audit Study". Acta Scientific Neurology 6.11 (2023): 32-35.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2023 Jidhin Raj., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.