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

• 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
• Journal Title: Patient Education and Counseling
• Volume: Volume 100, Number 4
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months | 2017-04-01, Pages 703-709
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2016.11.018
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Social Sciences; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary; Social Sciences - Other Topics; Glaucoma; Quality-of-life; Vision loss; Communication; Patient question-asking; CENTERED COMMUNICATION; MEDICATION ADHERENCE; PHYSICIAN GENDER; PRIMARY-CARE; PREVALENCE; EYEDROPS

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.