How glaucoma patient characteristics, self-efficacy and patient-provider communication are associated with eye drop technique

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Robyn Sayner, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy; Delesha M. Carpenter, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy; Alan L. Robin, University of Maryland; Susan J. Blalock, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy; Kelly W. Muir, Duke University; Michelle Vitko, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy; Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, University of Maryland; Scott D. Lawrence, University of North Carolina Kittner Eye Center; Annette Giangiacomo, Emory University; Gail Tudor, Husson University; Jason A. Goldsmith, University of Utah; Betsy Sleath, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2015 Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12215
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice
• ISSN: 0961-7671
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 78
• End Page: 85
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by grant EY018400 from the National Eye Institute and by grant UL 1RR02574 7 from the National Center of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: Glaucoma; Self Administration; patient question-asking; Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ophthalmologists; self-efficacy; Health Communication; Patient Education as Topic; Male; Sex Factors; Ophthalmic Solutions; Physician-Patient Relations; Aged; Videotape Recording; Humans; Self Efficacy; Arthritis; Female; Antihypertensive Agents; Age Factors; eye drop instillation; Young Adult; patient-provider communication; glaucoma
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Opthamology; Health Sciences, Pharmacology

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which patient characteristics, eye drop technique self-efficacy, and ophthalmologist-patient communication about eye drop administration are associated with glaucoma patients' ability to instil a single drop, have the drop land in the eye, and avoid touching the applicator tip of the medication bottle to the eye or face while self-administering eye drops. Methods Glaucoma patients (n = 279) were recruited from six ophthalmology clinics. Medical visits were videotape-recorded. Afterwards, patients were interviewed and demonstrated administering an eye drop on a videotaped-recording. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyse the data. Key findings Ophthalmologists provided eye drop administration instruction to 40 patients. Patients with more years of education were significantly more likely to both instil a single drop (P = 0.017) and have the drop land in their eye (P = 0.017). Women were significantly more likely to touch the applicator tip to their eyes or face (P = 0.014). Patients with severe glaucoma (P = 0.016), women (P = 0.026), and patients who asked at least one eye drop administration question (P = 0.001) were significantly less likely to instil a single drop. Patients with arthritis were significantly less likely to have the drop land in their eye (P = 0.008). African American patients were significantly less likely to touch the applicator tip to their eyes or face (P = 0.008). Conclusions Some glaucoma patients have a difficult time self-administering eye drops. As so few patients received eye drop administration instruction from their providers, there is an opportunity for pharmacists to complement care.