Jonathan S Pointer1. 1. Optometric Research, Higham Ferrers, UK. Electronic address: jonathan.pointer@virgin.net.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The uninterrupted initial talking time (UITT) of optometric patients was measured in response to the clinician's opening question: "Do you have any problems with your eyes or your sight?" METHODS: UITT was measured surreptitiously by the optometrist. Also noted was whether an eye/sight problem was claimed by the patient and whether or not this was subsequently confirmed by the examination. RESULTS: Data were collected from 822 adults, mean age 59.1yrs (SD 17.6), range 16.0-92.0yrs. UITT data were positively skewed; median value 28.87s (IQR 19.81-43.03s) and no statistically significant difference between genders (p=0.9). 53% of patients had completed their opening statement by 30s, and 90% after 1min. 75% of these individuals (age range 26-75yrs) had a median UITT 27.82s; younger patients (16-25yrs) spoke for a significantly shorter time (18.39s: p=0.002) and elderly patients (≥76yrs) a significantly longer time (37.27s: p=0.003) than the majority value. Previously unexamined patients, habitual spectacle wearers, and individuals presenting with an eye/sight problem all recorded a significantly longer UITT (p≤0.006) than their peers. The practitioner's opening question had a sensitivity of 0.54/specificity of 0.95, and a positive predictive value (PV) of 0.78/negative PV of 0.87: with a calculated value of κ=0.53, the strength of agreement between subjective claim and objective outcome could be regarded as 'moderate'. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that an optometric patient's UITT of <30s is unlikely to prove disruptive to the clinical routine.
PURPOSE: The uninterrupted initial talking time (UITT) of optometric patients was measured in response to the clinician's opening question: "Do you have any problems with your eyes or your sight?" METHODS: UITT was measured surreptitiously by the optometrist. Also noted was whether an eye/sight problem was claimed by the patient and whether or not this was subsequently confirmed by the examination. RESULTS: Data were collected from 822 adults, mean age 59.1yrs (SD 17.6), range 16.0-92.0yrs. UITT data were positively skewed; median value 28.87s (IQR 19.81-43.03s) and no statistically significant difference between genders (p=0.9). 53% of patients had completed their opening statement by 30s, and 90% after 1min. 75% of these individuals (age range 26-75yrs) had a median UITT 27.82s; younger patients (16-25yrs) spoke for a significantly shorter time (18.39s: p=0.002) and elderly patients (≥76yrs) a significantly longer time (37.27s: p=0.003) than the majority value. Previously unexamined patients, habitual spectacle wearers, and individuals presenting with an eye/sight problem all recorded a significantly longer UITT (p≤0.006) than their peers. The practitioner's opening question had a sensitivity of 0.54/specificity of 0.95, and a positive predictive value (PV) of 0.78/negative PV of 0.87: with a calculated value of κ=0.53, the strength of agreement between subjective claim and objective outcome could be regarded as 'moderate'. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that an optometric patient's UITT of <30s is unlikely to prove disruptive to the clinical routine.
Keywords:
Historia optométrica; Optometric case history; Patient's talking time; Primary eye care examination; Primer examen visual; Prueba de visión; Sight test; Tiempo de conversación del paciente