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Abstract #46172 Published in IGR 13-2
Assessment of referrals to the hospital eye service by optometrists and GPs in Bradford and Airedale
Davey CJ; Green C; Elliott DBOphthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians 2011; 31: 23-28
To investigate the content of referrals to a hospital eye department and describe differences between referring clinician (optometrist or GP) and referral formats. A random sample of 433 new referrals to Bradford Royal Infirmary hospital eye service (HES) during 2007 and 2008 were retrospectively analysed. Three hundred and eleven referrals (72%) were from optometric practice and 122 (28%) from general practice. Optometric referrals were mainly for cataract and posterior capsular opacification (27%), glaucoma or suspect glaucoma (20%) and diabetic retinopathy (10%). The proportion of referrals to the hospital eye service from optometrists appears to be increasing (1988: 39%, 1999: 48%, present study 72%). GPs mainly refer patients with anterior segment disorders, particularly lid lesions, based on direct observation and symptoms. Optometrists refer patients with a wide range of ocular diseases and include fundus observations and visual acuity measurements in their referrals. There is a need to inform optometrists of what content is required in a referral to the HES from GOS sight tests, at least for the common referral conditions such as age-related cataract and suspect open-angle glaucoma. Referral forms specifically designed for these commonly referred conditions are likely to improve referral quality. (copyright) 2010 The College of Optometrists.
C.J. Davey. Bradford School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK. Email: c.j.davey@bradford.ac.uk
Classification:
1.6 Prevention and screening (Part of: 1 General aspects)
