Patients' knowledge and perception on optic neuritis management before and after an information session

Area of Science:

• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Patient Education
• Clinical Decision-Making

Background:

• Patient understanding of medical conditions influences treatment choices.
• Acute optic neuritis (ON) management involves various treatment options with differing outcomes.
• Assessing patient comprehension and preferences is crucial for effective care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient understanding of acute optic neuritis (ON).
• To assess patient treatment preferences before and after an educational intervention.
• To determine the impact of an information session on patient decision-making regarding ON treatment.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire assessed patient knowledge and preferences pre- and post-information session.
• The session, led by a neuro-ophthalmologist, used plain language to explain ON treatments based on the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial.
• Key findings on steroid therapy efficacy and recurrence rates were emphasized.

Main Results:

• Knowledge of available ON treatment increased from 85% to 100% post-session.
• Preference shifted significantly towards intravenous steroid treatment (92%) compared to oral steroids alone (4%).
• A notable increase in participants opting for steroid injections was observed (p = 0.016).

Conclusions:

• Patient education sessions effectively enhance understanding of acute optic neuritis treatments.
• Informed patients are more likely to choose treatments aligning with clinical guidelines.
• Patient knowledge is a key factor in implementing and adhering to best practice recommendations for optic neuritis.