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Abstract #73435 Published in IGR 18-4
Glaucoma Australia educational impact study: a randomized short-term clinical trial evaluating the association between glaucoma education and patient knowledge, anxiety and treatment satisfaction
Skalicky SE; d'Mellow G; House P; Fenwick E;Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2018; 46: 222-231
IMPORTANCE: Targeted education may impact glaucoma patients' clinical experience. BACKGROUND: To measure the impact of patient-centred glaucoma-related education on knowledge, anxiety and treatment satisfaction. DESIGN: Multicentre Australia-wide randomised clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: 101 newly-diagnosed glaucoma patients randomised 1:1 to intervention or control groups. METHODS: Those randomised to the Glaucoma Australia educational intervention received telephone-based counselling about glaucoma followed by mail out information, in addition to usual care and information from their treating ophthalmologist. The control group received only usual care and information from their treating ophthalmologist. Surveys were administered at baseline and 4-weeks following intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Auckland Glaucoma Knowledge Questionnaire (AGKQ) measured glaucoma related knowledge. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Eye Drop Satisfaction Questionnaire (EDSQ) measured anxiety and patient treatment satisfaction, respectively. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.7±11.1 years and 52 (51.5%) were male. There was no noticeable increase in knowledge levels in the control group (mean difference: 0.04 logits, P = 0.7), compared with 0.49 logits (P = 0.02) increase in knowledge levels in the intervention group. Between group comparison showed a non-significant increase in knowledge (0.45 logits, P = 0.07) comparing intervention participants with controls. Intervention participants experienced a statistically significant decrease in anxiety compared to controls (-0.60 logits, P = 0.02). No between-group difference was found in EDSQ scores. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Patient-centred glaucoma-related education and support services may improve knowledge and can reduce anxiety for newly diagnosed glaucoma patients. All glaucoma patients should be adequately counseled about the nature of the disease and its management.
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