AIMS: To determine the discharge outcomes of patients seen in specialist eye clinic after referral from diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of outcomes of a sample of 98 patients referred from DRS to specialist eye clinic. RESULTS: A sample of 98 patients were analysed following referral by DRS to specialist eye clinic from 16/4/14 to 16/4/15. Age at screening ranged from 13-88 years, with the main ethnic groups being Māori (57.1%), European (39.79%) and Indian (3.06%). A majority of the patients were referred to specialist eye clinic for diabetic retinopathy (60%) or cataracts (35%). After being seen in specialist eye clinic, 45% of the patients were enrolled back into DRS and 49.1% stayed under care of ophthalmology service for further treatment, and a further 5.9% were discharged to care of GP or optometrist without re-enrolment back to DRS. Of those referred back to DRS, 30% were re-enrolled after further imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT), and 24% of patients were referred back to DRS due to non-attendance. Non-attendence at clinic appointments was high among the Māori population. CONCLUSION: Our study identified that 94% of patients referred to specialist eye clinic were either referred back to DRS or kept under care with only five patients not re-enrolled back into DRS. Despite good service delivery, Northland remains a high-risk population for diabetes, where non-attendance at clinic appointments remained an issue with the Māori patient population. In addition, a significant proportion of patients were re-referred back to DRS after OCT, and a consideration is to include OCT in the screening pathway.
AIMS: To determine the discharge outcomes of patients seen in specialist eye clinic after referral from diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of outcomes of a sample of 98 patients referred from DRS to specialist eye clinic. RESULTS: A sample of 98 patients were analysed following referral by DRS to specialist eye clinic from 16/4/14 to 16/4/15. Age at screening ranged from 13-88 years, with the main ethnic groups being Māori (57.1%), European (39.79%) and Indian (3.06%). A majority of the patients were referred to specialist eye clinic for diabetic retinopathy (60%) or cataracts (35%). After being seen in specialist eye clinic, 45% of the patients were enrolled back into DRS and 49.1% stayed under care of ophthalmology service for further treatment, and a further 5.9% were discharged to care of GP or optometrist without re-enrolment back to DRS. Of those referred back to DRS, 30% were re-enrolled after further imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT), and 24% of patients were referred back to DRS due to non-attendance. Non-attendence at clinic appointments was high among the Māori population. CONCLUSION: Our study identified that 94% of patients referred to specialist eye clinic were either referred back to DRS or kept under care with only five patients not re-enrolled back into DRS. Despite good service delivery, Northland remains a high-risk population for diabetes, where non-attendance at clinic appointments remained an issue with the Māori patient population. In addition, a significant proportion of patients were re-referred back to DRS after OCT, and a consideration is to include OCT in the screening pathway.
Authors: Helen Burn; Lisa Hamm; Joanna Black; Anthea Burnett; Matire Harwood; Matthew J Burton; Jennifer R Evans; Jacqueline Ramke Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2021-03