Preliminary survey of educational support for patients prescribed ocular hypotensive therapy.
OBJECTIVE
to establish the impact of educational support on patients' knowledge of glaucoma and adherence, in preparation for an intervention study.


METHODS
structured observation encapsulated the educational support provided during clinical consultations and patient interviews captured the depth of glaucoma knowledge, problems associated with glaucoma therapy, and adherence issues.


RESULTS
one hundred and thirty-eight patients completed the study. Education was didactic in nature, limited for many patients and inconsistent across clinics. Patients showed generally poor knowledge of glaucoma with a median score of 6 (range 0-16). A significant association was found between educational support and knowledge for newly prescribed patients (Kendall's tau=0.30, P=0.003), but no association was found for follow-up patients (Kendall's tau=0.11, P=0.174). Only five (6%) patients admitted to a doctor that they did not adhere to their drop regimen, yet 75 (94%) reported at interview that they missed drops.


CONCLUSIONS
although important, knowledge alone may not sufficiently improve adherence: a patient-centred approach based on ongoing support according to need may provide a more effective solution for this patient group.
Gray
T A
TA
School of Biomedicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. trish.gray@manchester.ac.uk
Fenerty
C
C
Harper
R
R
Lee
A
A
Spencer
A F
AF
Campbell
M
M
Henson
D B
DB
Waterman
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions