Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Hoffmann, Esther M; Prokosch-Willing, Verena
Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde
234, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Glaucoma leads to blindness but there are diagnostic and therapeutic developments that aid ophthalmologists in the improved mangement of the disease compared to the past. Known risk factors such as ...age, myopia, dark pigmented skin, genetics, and elevated intraocular pressure play an important role for the individual patient's prognosis, and many yet unknown or not sufficiently investigated risk factors come along. The structured examination of the optic nerve head is crucial for the clincial diagnosis by the ophthalmologist. At least a photo documentation - better imaging of the optic nerve head and its retinal nerve fibers - should be performed in newly diagnosed suspect glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Visual field testing is just as important and it is recommended to perform 6 visual fields in the first two years after diagnosis. Treatment principles are evolving and minimally invasive surgery techniques are upcoming. However, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C is still superior regarding long-term results compared to microstents and minimal shunt procedures.
To determine patient satisfaction with care provided at a family medicine teaching clinic.
Mailed survey.
Victoria Family Medical Centre in London, Ont.
Stratified random sample of 600 regular ...patients of the clinic aged 18 years or older; 301 responses were received.
Patient satisfaction with overall care, wait times for appointments, contact with physicians, and associated demographic factors. Logistic regression analysis and analysis were used to determine the significance of factors associated with satisfaction.
The response rate was 50%. Overall, 88% of respondents were fairly, very, or completely satisfied with care. Older patients tended to be more satisfied. Patients who were less satisfied had longer wait times for appointments (P < .001) and reduced continuity with specific doctors (P = .004). More satisfied patients also felt connected through other members of the health care team.
Patients were generally satisfied with the care provided at the family medicine teaching clinic. Older patients tended to be more satisfied than younger patients. Points of dissatisfaction were related to wait times for appointments and continuity with patients' usual doctors. These findings support the adoption of practices that reduce wait times and facilitate continuity with patients' usual doctors and other regular members of the health care team.
