Michael Burgmüller1,2, Nesrin Cakmak3, Birgit Weingessel4,3, Christina Vécsei4,3, Pia Veronika Vécsei-Marlovits4,3. 1. Augenabteilung des Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, Pavillon 2a und 2b, 1130, Vienna, Austria. michael.burgmueller@wienkav.at. 2. Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria. michael.burgmueller@wienkav.at. 3. Karl Landsteiner Gesellschaft: Institut für Prozessoptimierung und Qualitätsmanagement in der Katarakt-Chirurgie, St. Pölten, Austria. 4. Augenabteilung des Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wiener Krankenanstaltenverbund, Wolkersbergenstraße 1, Pavillon 2a und 2b, 1130, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease with rising prevalence. This study evaluates patients' knowledge and the need for more patient information. METHODS: 271 patients with AMD were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their knowledge about AMD. 150 patients were interviewed by a physician and 121 patients completed the questionnaire on their own. RESULTS: 79.4 % of patients had previous knowledge about AMD. Most patients, 97.3 %, got their information from physicians. 58 % of patients find their knowledge concerning AMD adequate. Only 23.9 % knew about aid organizations for patients with visual impairments. DISCUSSION: Though the majority of patients had good knowledge concerning AMD, there was a large percentage of patients who seemed to lack information. Physicians should actively ask their patients if they have any questions related to their disease. Medial focus on AMD and information about aid organizations could help patients to cope with their disease. CONCLUSION: A large number of patients seemed to need additional information. We suggest that ophthalmologists provide general information concerning AMD to their patients every 3 to 5 years. Information about aid organizations specializing in visual impairment could also be provided. Well-informed patients would be better able to follow their physician's instructions and would have a better understanding of their disease, particularly for the sake of therapy.
BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease with rising prevalence. This study evaluates patients' knowledge and the need for more patient information. METHODS: 271 patients with AMD were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their knowledge about AMD. 150 patients were interviewed by a physician and 121 patients completed the questionnaire on their own. RESULTS: 79.4 % of patients had previous knowledge about AMD. Most patients, 97.3 %, got their information from physicians. 58 % of patients find their knowledge concerning AMD adequate. Only 23.9 % knew about aid organizations for patients with visual impairments. DISCUSSION: Though the majority of patients had good knowledge concerning AMD, there was a large percentage of patients who seemed to lack information. Physicians should actively ask their patients if they have any questions related to their disease. Medial focus on AMD and information about aid organizations could help patients to cope with their disease. CONCLUSION: A large number of patients seemed to need additional information. We suggest that ophthalmologists provide general information concerning AMD to their patients every 3 to 5 years. Information about aid organizations specializing in visual impairment could also be provided. Well-informed patients would be better able to follow their physician's instructions and would have a better understanding of their disease, particularly for the sake of therapy.
Authors: Christina A Korb; Ulrike B Kottler; Christian Wolfram; René Hoehn; Andreas Schulz; Isabella Zwiener; Philipp S Wild; Norbert Pfeiffer; Alireza Mirshahi Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2014-02-25 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: David S Friedman; Benita J O'Colmain; Beatriz Muñoz; Sandra C Tomany; Cathy McCarty; Paulus T V M de Jong; Barbara Nemesure; Paul Mitchell; John Kempen Journal: Arch Ophthalmol Date: 2004-04
Authors: Ursula M Schmidt-Erfurth; Gisbert Richard; Albert Augustin; William G Aylward; Francesco Bandello; Borja Corcòstegui; José Cunha-Vaz; Alain Gaudric; Anita Leys; Rainier O Schlingemann Journal: Acta Ophthalmol Scand Date: 2007-08