Improving parental adherence to a failed vision screening referral in the United States

Abstract

Vision screening is an important function of the school nurse's role. Parental cooperation after a child's failed vision screening remains a problematic issue for school nurses, as research reveals inconsistent follow-up and a low rate of parental adherence to school nursing screening referral. Using a comparative descriptive design, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if there was an improvement in parental adherence after a failed vision screening referral in school-age children in an urban middle school setting when implementing an approach consisting of a comprehensive informative letter and telephone follow-up versus the use of a standard referral card commonly used in practice. Findings revealed a statistically significant increase in the number of school-age children who received professional eye care services with the use of the informative letter and telephone follow-up calls (P<0.001), as well as an increase in the number of eye care appointments made (P<0.001). Numerous barriers to care were identified. The use of an informative letter and follow-up telephone communication was effective in improving parental adherence to vision screening referral and demonstrates the essential role that school nurses have in promoting child health.