Evaluation of a minor eye conditions scheme delivered by community optometrists.
BMJ Open
; 6(8): e011832, 2016 08 10.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27515757
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The establishment of minor eye conditions schemes (MECS) within community optometric practices provides a mechanism for the timely assessment of patients presenting with a range of acute eye conditions. This has the potential to reduce waiting times and avoid unnecessary referrals to hospital eye services (HES).OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness, impact on hospital attendances and patient satisfaction with a minor eye service provided by community optometrists.METHODS:
Activity and outcome data were collected for 12â months in the Lambeth and Lewisham MECS. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was given to patients at the end of their MECS appointment. A retrospective difference-in-differences analysis of hospital activity compared changes in the volume of referrals by general practitioners (GPs) from a period before (April 2011-March 2013) to after (April 2013-March 2015) the introduction of the scheme in Lambeth and Lewisham relative to a neighbouring area (Southwark) where the scheme had not been commissioned. Appropriateness of case management was assessed by consensus using clinical members of the research team.RESULTS:
A total of 2123 patients accessed the scheme. Approximately two-thirds of patients (67.5%) were referred by their GP. The commonest reasons for patients attending for a MECS assessment were 'red eye' (36.7% of patients), 'painful white eye' (11.1%) and 'flashes and floaters' (10.2%). A total of 64.1% of patients were managed in optometric practice and 18.9% were referred to the HES; of these, 89.2% had been appropriately referred. First attendances to HES referred by GPs reduced by 26.8% (95% CI -40.5% to -13.1%) in Lambeth and Lewisham compared to Southwark.CONCLUSIONS:
The Lambeth and Lewisham MECS demonstrates clinical effectiveness, reduction in hospital attendances and high patient satisfaction and represents a successful collaboration between commissioners, local HES units and primary healthcare providers.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Optometría
/
Satisfacción del Paciente
/
Servicios de Salud Comunitaria
/
Atención a la Salud
/
Oftalmopatías
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMJ Open
Año:
2016
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido