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Non-communication between ophthalmologists and optometrists.
K W Whittaker1, K Ikram, D F Anderson
1Southampton Eye Unit, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
|September 3, 1999
Summary
Patient consent for medical information disclosure is crucial for optometrist-ophthalmologist communication. Many optometrists do not consistently obtain consent, hindering feedback and effective use of the GOS 18 referral form.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Healthcare Communication
Background:
- Optometrists frequently refer patients to hospital eye services.
- Effective communication between optometrists and ophthalmologists is vital for patient care.
- Patient consent is necessary for sharing medical information between healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utilization of the GOS 18 referral form by optometrists.
- To determine the frequency of patient consent for information disclosure.
- To evaluate the level of communication and feedback between optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to optometrists within a hospital's catchment area.
- Referral forms (GOS 18) and patient medical records were examined.
- Data on form usage, patient consent, and ophthalmologist feedback were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 55% of optometrists returned the survey; 54% routinely used the GOS 18 form.
- Only 17 out of 107 referrals on the GOS 18 form had recorded patient consent.
- Ophthalmologist feedback to optometrists was provided in 12-17% of cases, regardless of consent.
Conclusions:
- The GOS 18 form is underutilized and patient consent for information sharing is inconsistently obtained.
- Ophthalmologists could significantly improve feedback to optometrists.
- Ophthalmologists should also obtain patient consent for information disclosure to enhance communication.