Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess patients’ experience and acceptability of an educational intervention run by volunteers to provide information about glaucoma, with the goal of improving patients’ understanding about glaucoma. Clinicians referred patients attending glaucoma clinics at one trust to volunteers for education about glaucoma, surgical or laser interventions and eye drop technique. Patients were subsequently contacted by telephone to complete a satisfaction survey with five responses ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. 68 patients were referred to the volunteers over a 7 month period. 27 (40%) were interviewed by telephone. All were happy with their experience of the volunteer service with 23 patients (57.5%) strongly agreeing that they were comfortable speaking to a volunteer, 18 (45%) strongly agreeing that the volunteer was able to answer their questions and explain the condition properly and 22 (55%) strongly agreeing that speaking with the volunteer was a positive experience. 17 (42.5%) strongly agreed that they had better knowledge and understanding about glaucoma and 22 (55%) strongly agreed that they understood the importance regular therapy. Of the 17 patients surveyed about eye drop technique, 14 (82.4%) strongly agreed they were more confident with their technique. Patients were comfortable and accepting of the volunteer scheme and reported better understanding of glaucoma. Using volunteers to educate patients helps clinicians and improves compliance.
Highlights
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness globally [1]
All were happy with their experience of the volunteer service with 23 patients (57.5%) strongly agreeing that they were comfortable talking to a volunteer, 18 (45%) strongly agreeing that the volunteer was able to answer their questions and explain the condition properly and 22 (55%) strongly agreeing that speaking with the volunteer was a positive experience (Figure 1)
Of the 17 patients surveyed about eye drop technique, 14 (82.4%) strongly agreed they were more confident with their technique (Figure 3)
Summary
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness globally [1]. In 2010, The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 39 million people in the world were blind, and 8% of these (over 3 million people) were due to glaucoma [1]. In the United Kingdom approximately 10% of blindness registrations are as a result of glaucoma, and it accounts for over 1 million hospital eye service visits annually [2]. Treatment of glaucoma prevents visual impairment and involves the use of medical and surgical approaches. Current treatment of glaucoma is centred on a reduction of intraocular pressure. Medical treatment of glaucoma using eye drops is the most common form of initial treatment and requires good compliance. As glaucoma is initially asymptomatic, noncompliance with glaucoma medications is common. Persistence with taking medications has been reported to vary from 20 - 64% [3, 4]
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