Evaluation of Patient Experiences with PocDoc, a Web-Based Eye Screening Tool

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Digital Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Patient engagement is critical for the efficacy of diagnostic and monitoring tools in ophthalmology.
• Developing telemedicine applications for eye care faces challenges in ensuring consistent patient engagement.
• This study evaluates patient perceptions of a web application, PocDoc, designed for eye care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient perceptions and experiences with the PocDoc web application.
• To determine patient acceptance and usability of a digital tool for ophthalmology.
• To explore the impact of digital health tools on patient engagement in eye care.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was administered to 440 patients.
• Data was collected before and after patients used the PocDoc application.
• Participants were recruited from general and specialist eye clinics.

Main Results:

• Initially, 86.8% saw value in remote monitoring, with 55.2% finding it easy to use.
• Post-use, 63.3% intended frequent usage, and 79.3% found the app easy to use.
• Confidence in mastering the app increased significantly, and 77.3% found its functions well-integrated.

Conclusions:

• Patient receptivity to web-based eye care applications like PocDoc is confirmed.
• Digital health tools can significantly influence patient acceptance and perceived ease of use.
• Findings have implications for the design and implementation of telemedicine in ophthalmology.