P076. Improving patient communication and management by the use of the “Headache Digest”, a pilot study

Excerpt

The average headache visit lasts only 15 minutes in the health care environment and is generally preceded by a long time spent by patients in the waiting room. Patients entering the doctor's room need to be listened to as much as possible but do not know what details might be useful for diagnosis. Doctors focus on obtaining specific clinical information, performing a physical examination, formulating the correct diagnosis and prescribing the most appropriate therapy within as little time as possible. The compilation of a self-administered questionnaire during the waiting time might concentrate a patient's attention on crucial headache features, reduce the tension concerning the visit and break the ice in meeting the doctor. The ID-Migraine, a self-administered questionnaire, consisting of only 3 items, is a valid and reliable screening instrument for migraine and was validated in Italy, but it does not provide information concerning headache course [1]. …