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Compliance with recommendations from a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy
S J Lee1, P M Livingston, C A Harper
1Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Victoria. sue@cera.unimelb.edu.au
Methods:
General practitioner compliance with recommendations for patient follow-up after participation in a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy was assessed. Six months after screening with non-mydriatic retinal photography in four areas of Victoria, the genera practitioner of each participant was surveyed if the participant reported no examination for diabetic retinopathy in the past 2 years and if the results of the screening indicated the need for further assessment.
Results:
Overall, 208 of 253 (82%) completed questionnaires were analysed. A total of 123 (59%) patients were referred by their doctors for further assessment and 97 (79%) of those referred were reported to have complied with the referral. Of the 85 (41%) patients who were not referred for further assessment, 31 (36%) were reported by their doctors to be already under regular review by an ophthalmologist.
Conclusions:
Compliance with genera practitioner referrals suggests that this screening programme was effective and a useful means by which to remind general practitioners of the importance of regular eye examinations for people with diabetes.