Telemedicine Screening for Eye Disorders in Federally Qualified Health Centers: Relationship to Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life.
Telemed J E Health
; 30(7): e2080-e2086, 2024 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38662523
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a crucial role as safety-net primary health care clinics in the United States, serving medically underserved areas and populations. However, eye services are rarely offered at FQHCs. We examined how telemedicine-generated ocular diagnoses impacted vision-targeted health-related quality of life at FQHCs in rural Alabama.Methods:
We focused on patients who are at risk for glaucoma. Both visual function and retinal imaging were assessed. The telemedicine vision screening protocol performed by a remote ophthalmologist evaluated eyes for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and a measurement of habitual visual acuity. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-9 (VFQ-9) was administered.Results:
Using stepwise regression, the best-fitting model for predicting VFQ-9 scores incorporated visual acuity 20/40 or worse, a diabetic retinopathy diagnosis, and sociodemographic variables (gender, transportation, insurance type/status, and employment status).Conclusion:
Vision-targeted, health-related quality of life in our FQHC settings was related to the visual acuity impairment and the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy but was also influenced by a variety of sociodemographic factors.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Qualidade de Vida
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Telemedicina
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article