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Research Article
Reece Bergstrom
Ohio University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0735-224X
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This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background Vision related screening procedures, ocular disease assessment, and ophthalmologic referral patterns of family (FM) and internal medicine (IM) residents and attendings, within a Graduate Medical Education (GME).
Objective The study evaluated FM & IM residents’ and attendings’ ophthalmic evaluation practices, knowledge base, and referral patterns within a GME ambulatory care network.
Methods An anonymous survey was conducted in 2018 determine the incidence and methods of visual screening and what patient symptoms, medical histories, or complaints prompted referral to an ophthalmologist. The provider's knowledge base of ocular diseases and systemic treatments with potential ocular complications was also assessed. The referral patterns of the FM/IM providers for ophthalmologic care was evaluated for rationale and location.
Results The survey response rate was 45%. A low percentage of providers (16%) indicated ocular diseases was part of their past medical history evaluation. Nearly half the respondents (40%) indicated they did not assess the visual status of their patients. When patients reported visual complaints or visual deficiency was noted on exam, all providers (100%) indicated they refer patients for ophthalmology evaluation. There was a significant percentage of providers that indicated they did not know where to refer patients for ophthalmology evaluation (42%).
Conclusions This analysis presents the opportunity to improve a GME primary care team’s visual screening practices to improve care access and quality for patients requiring ophthalmologic services with a timely and appropriate referral. Similarly, further education recommendations provided to practitioners regarding specific indicators requiring ophthalmologic referral.
Keywords
GME, ophthalmology evaluation, American College of Physician (ACP), ACGME
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research Article
Reece Bergstrom
Ohio University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0735-224X
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 12 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Ophthalmology
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background Vision related screening procedures, ocular disease assessment, and ophthalmologic referral patterns of family (FM) and internal medicine (IM) residents and attendings, within a Graduate Medical Education (GME).
Objective The study evaluated FM & IM residents’ and attendings’ ophthalmic evaluation practices, knowledge base, and referral patterns within a GME ambulatory care network.
Methods An anonymous survey was conducted in 2018 determine the incidence and methods of visual screening and what patient symptoms, medical histories, or complaints prompted referral to an ophthalmologist. The provider's knowledge base of ocular diseases and systemic treatments with potential ocular complications was also assessed. The referral patterns of the FM/IM providers for ophthalmologic care was evaluated for rationale and location.
Results The survey response rate was 45%. A low percentage of providers (16%) indicated ocular diseases was part of their past medical history evaluation. Nearly half the respondents (40%) indicated they did not assess the visual status of their patients. When patients reported visual complaints or visual deficiency was noted on exam, all providers (100%) indicated they refer patients for ophthalmology evaluation. There was a significant percentage of providers that indicated they did not know where to refer patients for ophthalmology evaluation (42%).
Conclusions This analysis presents the opportunity to improve a GME primary care team’s visual screening practices to improve care access and quality for patients requiring ophthalmologic services with a timely and appropriate referral. Similarly, further education recommendations provided to practitioners regarding specific indicators requiring ophthalmologic referral.
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