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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 than 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.
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7573, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7573, USA; Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB # 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA. Electronic address: betsy_sleath@unc.edu.
Full article1.4 Quality of life (Part of: 1 General aspects)