PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Implementing teleophthalmology into the optometric referral pathway may ease the current pressures on hospital eye services caused by over-referrals from some optometrists. This study aimed to understand the practical implications of implementing teleophthalmology by analysing lived experiences and perceptions of teleophthalmology in the optometric referral pathway for suspected retinal conditions.
METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interview study SETTING: Fourteen primary care optometry practices and four secondary care hospital eye services from four NHS Foundation Trusts across the UK.
METHODS: We interviewed 41 participants: patients (17), optometrists (18), and ophthalmologists (6) who were involved in the HERMES study. Through thematic analysis, we collated and present their experiences of implementing teleophthalmology.
RESULTS: All participants interviewed were positive towards teleophthalmology as it could enable efficiencies in the referral pathway and improve feedback and communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Concerns included setup costs for optometrists and anxieties from patients about not seeing an ophthalmologist face to face. However, reducing unnecessary visits and increasing the availability of resources and capacity were seen as significant benefits.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we report positive experiences of implementing teleophthalmology into the optometric referral pathway for suspected retinal conditions. Successful implementation will require appropriate investment to set up and integrate new technology and remunerate services, and continued evaluation to ensure timely feedback to patients and between healthcare professionals is received.
BACKGROUND: ISRCTN18106677.
METHODS: Qualitative in-depth interview study SETTING: Fourteen primary care optometry practices and four secondary care hospital eye services from four NHS Foundation Trusts across the UK.
METHODS: We interviewed 41 participants: patients (17), optometrists (18), and ophthalmologists (6) who were involved in the HERMES study. Through thematic analysis, we collated and present their experiences of implementing teleophthalmology.
RESULTS: All participants interviewed were positive towards teleophthalmology as it could enable efficiencies in the referral pathway and improve feedback and communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Concerns included setup costs for optometrists and anxieties from patients about not seeing an ophthalmologist face to face. However, reducing unnecessary visits and increasing the availability of resources and capacity were seen as significant benefits.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we report positive experiences of implementing teleophthalmology into the optometric referral pathway for suspected retinal conditions. Successful implementation will require appropriate investment to set up and integrate new technology and remunerate services, and continued evaluation to ensure timely feedback to patients and between healthcare professionals is received.
BACKGROUND: ISRCTN18106677.
摘要：
目的：在验光转诊路径中实施远程眼科可能会缓解当前因部分验光师过度转诊而对医院眼科服务造成的压力。这项研究旨在通过分析可疑视网膜疾病的验光转诊途径中的生活经验和对远程眼科的看法，来了解实施远程眼科的实际意义。
方法：定性深入访谈研究设置：来自英国四个NHS基金会信托基金的14项初级护理验光实践和4项二级护理医院眼科服务。
方法：我们采访了41名参与者：患者（17），验光师（18），和参与HERMES研究的眼科医生（6）。通过专题分析，我们整理并介绍了他们实施远程眼科的经验。
结果：所有接受采访的参与者都对远程眼科学持积极态度，因为它可以提高转诊途径的效率，并改善患者与医疗保健专业人员之间的反馈和沟通。担忧包括验光师的安装费用以及患者对没有面对面见到眼科医生的焦虑。然而,减少不必要的访问和增加资源和能力的可用性被认为是显著的好处。
结论：总体而言，我们报告了在疑似视网膜疾病的验光转诊路径中实施远程眼科的积极经验。成功实施将需要适当的投资，以建立和整合新技术和有偿服务，和持续的评估，以确保及时反馈给患者和医疗保健专业人员之间。
背景：ISRCTN18106677。
方法：定性深入访谈研究设置：来自英国四个NHS基金会信托基金的14项初级护理验光实践和4项二级护理医院眼科服务。
方法：我们采访了41名参与者：患者（17），验光师（18），和参与HERMES研究的眼科医生（6）。通过专题分析，我们整理并介绍了他们实施远程眼科的经验。
结果：所有接受采访的参与者都对远程眼科学持积极态度，因为它可以提高转诊途径的效率，并改善患者与医疗保健专业人员之间的反馈和沟通。担忧包括验光师的安装费用以及患者对没有面对面见到眼科医生的焦虑。然而,减少不必要的访问和增加资源和能力的可用性被认为是显著的好处。
结论：总体而言，我们报告了在疑似视网膜疾病的验光转诊路径中实施远程眼科的积极经验。成功实施将需要适当的投资，以建立和整合新技术和有偿服务，和持续的评估，以确保及时反馈给患者和医疗保健专业人员之间。
背景：ISRCTN18106677。
