Glaucoma patient-provider communication about vision quality-of-life

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Betsy Sleath, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Robyn Sayner, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Michelle Vitko, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Delesha Carpenter, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Susan Blalock, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Kelly W. Muir, Duke University; Annette Giangiacomo, Emory University; Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, University of Utah; Alan L. Robin, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-04-01
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2016.11.018
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Patient Education and Counseling
• ISSN: 0738-3991
• Volume: 100
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 703
• End Page: 709
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr. Hartnett was also supported by National Institutes of Health grants EY015130 and EY017011.; This project was supported by grant EY018400 from the National Eye Institute and by grant 1UL1TR001111 from the National Center of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: Social Sciences; PRIMARY-CARE; Quality-of-life; Science & Technology; MEDICATION ADHERENCE; Glaucoma; Social Sciences - Other Topics; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; PREVALENCE; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; CENTERED COMMUNICATION; Communication; Patient question-asking; EYEDROPS; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary; Vision loss; PHYSICIAN GENDER
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to: (a) describe the extent to which ophthalmologists and glaucoma patients discuss vision quality-of-life during office visits, and (b) examine the association between patient and ophthalmologist characteristics and provider-patient communication about vision quality-of-life. Methods Patients with glaucoma who were newly prescribed or on glaucoma medications were recruited at six ophthalmology clinics. Patients’ visits were video-tape recorded and quality-of-life communication variables were coded. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data. Results Two hundred and seventy-nine patients participated. Specific glaucoma quality-of-life domains were discussed during only 13% of visits. Older patients were significantly more likely to discuss one or more vision quality-of-life domains th an younger patients. African American patients were significantly less likely to make statements about their vision quality-of-life and providers were less likely to ask them one or more vision quality-of-life questions than non-African American patients. Conclusion Eye care providers and patients infrequently discussed the patient's vision quality-of-life during glaucoma visits. African American patients were less likely to communicate about vision quality-of-life than non-African American patients. Practice implications Eye care providers should make sure to discuss vision quality-of-life with glaucoma patients.