Clinical Neurology: Patients’ Laterality Audit

Abstract

Most people tend to have left hemispheric dominance for speech [1], as the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body supported by the overall higher proportion of right handers to left handers [2]. However studies have shown that some left handed neurologic patients may have bilateral hemispheric control or solely right hemispheric control of speech [3]. Hence, due to the relationship between handedness and language lateralization [1], it is essential doctors ask neurologic patients of their handedness in order to predict which side of the brain is more likely dominant for speech. We also observed whether patient’s were asked if they were forced to become right handed or was it natural, as some studies show that the proportion of left handers may be less due to forced dexterity [4,5]. Some studies have also shown that footedness might actually be preferred over handedness in determining lateralization especially in left handed people [6]. This audit was carried out in order to test a potential shortfall of inquiring patients’ laterality during neurology consults. It was developed in order to find out the proportion of doctors asking patients of their laterality i.e. handedness and/or footedness i.e. right or left.