Dataset Information

A qualitative investigation into patients' views on visual field testing for glaucoma monitoring.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate the views and experiences of patients regarding their glaucoma follow-up, particularly towards the type and frequency of visual field (VF) testing.

Design

A qualitative investigation using focus groups. The group discussion used broad open questions around the topics in a prompt guide relating to experiences of glaucoma follow-up, and in particular, VF monitoring. All the groups were taped, transcribed and coded using manual and computer-aided methods.

Setting

Three National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England; two focus groups took place at each hospital.

Participants

28 patients (mean (SD) age: 74 (9) years; 54% women) diagnosed with glaucoma for at least 2 years. Each focus group consisted of 3-6 patients.

Primary and secondary outcomes

(1) Attitudes and experiences of patients with glaucoma regarding VF testing. (2) Patients' opinions about successful follow-up in glaucoma.

Results

These patients did not enjoy the VF test but they recognised the importance of regular monitoring for preserving their vision. These patients would agree to more frequent VF testing on their clinician's recommendation. A number of themes recurred throughout the focus groups representing perceived barriers to follow-up care. The testing environment, waiting times, efficiency of appointment booking and travel to the clinic were all perceived to influence the general clinical experience and the quality of assessment data. Patients were also concerned about aspects of patient-doctor communication, and often received little to no feedback about their results.

Conclusions

Patients trust the clinician to make the best decisions for their glaucoma follow-up. However, patients highlighted a number of issues that could compromise the effectiveness of VF testing. Addressing patient-perceived barriers could be an important step for devising optimal strategies for follow-up care.

SUBMITTER: Glen FC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3902333 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A qualitative investigation into patients' views on visual field testing for glaucoma monitoring.

Glen Fiona C FC Baker Helen H Crabb David P DP

BMJ open 20140110 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>To investigate the views and experiences of patients regarding their glaucoma follow-up, particularly towards the type and frequency of visual field (VF) testing.<h4>Design</h4>A qualitative investigation using focus groups. The group discussion used broad open questions around the topics in a prompt guide relating to experiences of glaucoma follow-up, and in particular, VF monitoring. All the groups were taped, transcribed and coded using manual and computer-aided methods.<h4 ...[more]

PMID: 24413347

Similar Datasets

Project description:PURPOSE:To develop a visual field (VF) feature model to predict the reversal of glaucoma hemifield test (GHT) results to within normal limits (WNL) after 2 consecutive outside normal limits (ONL) results. DESIGN:Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS:Visual fields of 44?503 eyes from 26?130 participants. METHODS:Eyes with 3 or more consecutive reliable VFs measured with the Humphrey Field Analyzer (Swedish interactive threshold algorithm standard 24-2) were included. Eyes with ONL GHT results for the 2 baseline VFs were selected. We extracted 3 categories of VF features from the baseline tests: (1) VF global indices (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation), (2) mismatch between baseline VFs, and (3) VF loss patterns (archetypes). Logistic regression was applied to predict the GHT results reversal. Cross-validation was applied to evaluate the model on testing data by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We ascertained clinical glaucoma status on a patient subset (n = 97) to determine the usefulness of our model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Predictive models for GHT results reversal using VF features. RESULTS:For the 16?604 eyes with 2 initial ONL results, the prevalence of a subsequent WNL result increased from 0.1% for MD < -12 dB to 13.8% for MD ?-3 dB. Compared with models with VF global indices, the AUC of predictive models increased from 0.669 (MD ?-3 dB) and 0.697 (-6 dB ? MD < -3 dB) to 0.770 and 0.820, respectively, by adding VF mismatch features and computationally derived VF archetypes (P < 0.001 for both). The GHT results reversal was associated with a large mismatch between baseline VFs. Moreover, the GHT results reversal was associated more with VF archetypes of nonglaucomatous loss, severe widespread loss, and lens rim artifacts. For a subset of 97 eyes, using our model to predict absence of glaucoma based on clinical evidence after 2 ONL results yielded significantly better prediction accuracy (87.7%; P < 0.001) than predicting GHT results reversal (68.8%) with a prescribed specificity 67.7%. CONCLUSIONS:Using VF features may predict the GHT results reversal to WNL after 2 consecutive ONL results.

Dataset Information

A qualitative investigation into patients' views on visual field testing for glaucoma monitoring.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Primary and secondary outcomes

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A qualitative investigation into patients' views on visual field testing for glaucoma monitoring.

Similar Datasets

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