Views of glaucoma patients on provision of follow-up care; an assessment of patient preferences by conjoint analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine patients' preferences for provision of glaucoma follow-up services examining preferences for location, access and personnel for delivery of this care.


METHODS
100 patient patients attending the glaucoma outpatient clinic for follow-up review underwent an interview-based assessment during which they completed the visual function questionnaire 25 and ranking of scenario options for provision of follow-up care for their glaucoma. Percentage preferences for aspects of care offered in the conjoint analysis scenario packages and generation of utility values for each of the factor levels included in the scenario design were calculated.


RESULTS
Travel time and training of health professional were the most important factors for patients (accounting for over 60%) of their preference. Utility scores were generated for each factor, with shorter travel time and examination by a doctor being the most important features to the patients. Patients who lived furthest from the hospital and had severe visual disability considered the number of visits to complete an episode to be an important feature.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients ideally would like to travel a short distance and be seen by a doctor when being followed up for their glaucoma.
Bhargava
J S
JS
Department of Ophthalmology, Nottingham University NHS Trust, Queen's Medical Centre Campus, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
Bhan-Bhargava
A
A
Foss
A J E
AJ
King
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors