A 2-hour information session and patient recall has minimal impact on glaucoma-treatment persistence in a mature practice.

PURPOSE: To study the impact of a 2-hour information session and 3 patients' phone calls on patient persistence with glaucoma medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with glaucoma treatment, part of a 27-year old solo glaucoma practice, were invited to attend the information session. Patients who attended the session (n=342) were contacted by phone 1, 4, 10 months later and regular use of drops was stressed. Patients were unaware of the study. We compared the persistence of the patients before and after attending the session, and their persistence to that of patients who did not attend (n=1187). Persistence with glaucoma medication was assessed by examination of data (2002 to 2007) from a provincial medical and drug insurance database. RESULTS: Patients attending the session had glaucoma for 10 years. They had a better persistence than those who did not attend (P<0.05). Their persistence remained the same 1 year after attending the session but tended to be improved in the first 180 days (P<0.076). During the study period, there was a 4% increase in overall persistence (P<0.05). This could be due to an increase in prostaglandins prescriptions and changes in ß-blockers formulation. CONCLUSIONS: The information session and patient's recalls had a limited impact on patient persistence. This could be due to the selection of a population already persistent (78.9%). The results could have been different in less persistent patients and new patients. It could be different in another practice setting.

An information session for glaucoma patients.

BACKGROUND: A 2-hour information session to improve understanding and compliance was offered to glaucoma patients. Three studies are presented regarding the participants, their satisfaction with the presentation, and their retention of information. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients were invited to participate. Age, sex, race, travelling distance, type of glaucoma, number of medications, duration of glaucoma, laser trabeculoplasty, trabeculectomy, medical conditions, visual acuity, visual field mean deviation, and pattern standard deviation (PSD) were documented. At the conclusion of the session, patient satisfaction was determined using a questionnaire. Responses to 6 glaucoma-related questions were requested prior to the session and again at 1, 4, and 10 months afterwards. The effects of age, sex, duration of glaucoma, drops applied, and compliance were analysed. RESULTS: The invitation was accepted by 65.2% of all subjects, including 93.4% of those who had been undergoing therapy for less than 1 year. Factors identified in nonparticipation were advanced age, a longer duration of glaucoma, coronary heart disease, and worse PSD in the worse eye. Transportation was the main reason for nonparticipation. Patient satisfaction was excellent, and 99% indicated that they would recommend the clinic to friends with glaucoma. Patient knowledge increased and persisted throughout the 10 months. Older participants had lower scores. INTERPRETATION: Most patients wanted to participate in the information session. Participants subjectively felt that the session was useful. It improved their knowledge of glaucoma, and has the potential to increase patient compliance.