Screening for diabetic retinopathy: developing a standardized photographic protocol for St. John's Hospital

The management of people with diabetes involves input from many healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, podiatrists and dieticians. In February 1999 at the request of the Consultant Diabetologist a diabetic screening service was established at St. John's Hospital using digital retinal photography. A preliminary photographic protocol was put into place immediately. In order to establish if the protocol was suitable, or at the level of a national standard, the author carried out an extensive literature search. There proved to be a paucity of published information specifically related to guidelines for diabetic retinopathy screening, using a photographic method. The author therefore issued questionnaires to randomly selected medical photography and diabetic screening units throughout the United Kingdom. The research and results of this study has enabled the provision of an effective and efficient retinopathy screening service. Medical photographers are now recognized as part of the diabetic clinic 'team' that care for patients at St. John's Hospital.