title: The impact of educational workshops on individuals at risk for glaucoma in the Philadelphia Glaucoma Detection and Treatment Project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of educational workshops, led by community health educators, on the level of knowledge, perceived risk of glaucoma, and rate of attendance in a subsequent glaucoma detection examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants attended an educational workshop about glaucoma and completed an 8-question pre- and post-test to assess knowledge. A paired samples t-test assessed mean differences in composite pre- and post-test scores, correct responses for each question, and perceived risk of glaucoma after the workshop.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven hundred and seven (707) pre- and post-test surveys were completed. There was a significant increase in the level of knowledge about glaucoma as reflected in the pre- and post-test composite scores (M=3.86, SD=1.95 vs. M=4.97, SD=1.82, P<0.001). In the 5 largest community sites, 44% (n=221/480) of the participants who attended an educational workshop scheduled a glaucoma detection examination appointment and 76% (n=160/211) of these participants completed this eye examination in the community setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational workshops increased knowledge and awareness about glaucoma and were helpful in recruiting patients for community-based glaucoma detection examinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend including educational workshops when conducting community-based outreach programs.
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: DJohnson@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Deiana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: shayla.stratford@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shayla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stratford
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: apshyu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Shyu
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: HSembhi@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Harjeet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sembhi
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: JMolineaux@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molineaux
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: CReamer@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reamer
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: GSpaeth@willseye.org.
authors.forename: George L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Spaeth
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: JMyers@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: LHark@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hark
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: ljkatz@willseye.org.
authors.forename: L Jay
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Glaucoma Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: mwaisbourd@willseye.org.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waisbourd
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D003153:Community Health Services; D003150:Community Health Workers; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015143:Philadelphia; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Community health educators; Educational workshop; Glaucoma; Outreach