Primary care physicians' role perception and self-reported performance in glaucoma care: a survey study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
• Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a crucial role in improving health outcomes for glaucoma patients through early detection and management.
• Optimizing PCP involvement in glaucoma care is essential for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate primary care physicians' attitudes towards their role in glaucoma care.
• To identify perceived barriers encountered by PCPs in managing glaucoma patients.
• To assess self-reported performance of PCPs in key aspects of glaucoma management.

Main Methods:

• A structured, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to PCPs in Israel's largest Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).
• Physicians rated their agreement with statements on PCP roles and their frequency of performing these actions.
• Barriers such as time constraints and knowledge gaps were assessed using Likert scales.

Main Results:

• A high percentage of PCPs acknowledged their role in early glaucoma detection (99%) and patient adherence (93%).
• However, actual performance lagged, with only 30% inquiring about family history and 35% explaining eye drop usage.
• Key barriers included time constraints (43%), insufficient knowledge of treatment options (46%), and unfamiliarity with medication side effects (54%).

Conclusions:

• A notable discrepancy exists between PCPs' perceived responsibilities and their reported practices in glaucoma care.
• Significant knowledge and time barriers hinder effective glaucoma management by PCPs.
• Interventions are required to bridge the gap between PCP attitudes and performance in glaucoma care.