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Abstract #65835 Published in IGR 17-3
Impact of a Brief Educational Intervention on Glaucoma Persistence: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Djafari F; Lesk MR; Giguère CÉ; Siam G; Freeman EEOphthalmic Epidemiology 2015; 22: 380-386
PURPOSE: To determine whether two sessions of a glaucoma educational intervention resulted in better persistence to glaucoma eye drop therapy compared to normal care. METHODS: A total of 165 patients newly diagnosed with glaucoma who required eye drop therapy were recruited into a randomized clinical trial from the glaucoma clinic at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Montreal, Canada. Patients were randomized to either an immediate intervention or normal care. The intervention consisted of two 60-90 minute sessions of education on glaucoma and its management, given in a small group format by a non-practicing ophthalmologist. Persistence to glaucoma medication was examined for 1 year by the use of Hospital medical records and by pharmacy claims records from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (Quebec Health Insurance Program). A questionnaire was administered, and medication possession ratio calculated. The primary outcome was persistence, defined as having medication available at least 75% of the time. Secondary outcomes included eye drop instillation technique and perception of the importance of eye drop therapy. RESULTS: The intervention group achieved better persistence to eye drop therapy, as 77% of controls and 89% of people receiving the intervention were persistent (p = 0.049). The intervention also resulted in better eye drop instillation technique (p < 0.001) and greater perception of the importance of eye drop therapy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Brief instructional sessions offered to newly diagnosed glaucoma patients can result in better persistence rates over 1-year follow-up. Strategies to permanently offer these types of initiatives should be considered.
a Research Centre, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital , Montreal , Quebec , Canada and.
Full articleClassification:
11.17 Cooperation with medical therapy e.g. persistency, compliance, adherence (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
