title: Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: feasibility and patient satisfaction study.
abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of telephone follow-up (TFU) after uncomplicated cataract surgery in low-risk patients and patient satisfaction with this alternative clinical pathway. Design/methodology/approach - Prospective, non-randomised cohort study. A ten-point subjective ophthalmic assessment questionnaire and a six-point patient satisfaction questionnaire were administered to patients following routine cataract surgery at two to three weeks post-procedure. All patients were offered a further clinic review if required. Exclusion criteria comprised ophthalmic co-morbidities, hearing/language impairment and high risk of post-operative complications. Patient notes were retrospectively reviewed over the study period to ensure no additional emergency attendances took place. Findings - Over three months, 50 eyes of 50 patients (mean age: 80; age range 60-91; 66 per cent second eye surgery) underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery received a TFU at 12-24 days (mean: 16 days) post-operatively. Subjective visual acuity was graded as good by 92 per cent of patients; 72 per cent patients reported no pain and 20 per cent reported mild occasional grittiness. Patient satisfaction was graded 8.9 out of 10; 81.6 per cent defined TFU as convenient and 75.5 per cent of patients preferred TFU to routine outpatient review. No additional visits were required. Research limitations/implications - Non-randomised with no control group; small sample size. One patient was unable to be contacted. Practical implications - Post-operative TFU can be suitably targeted to low-risk patients following uncomplicated cataract surgery. This study demonstrated a high patient satisfaction. A larger, randomised study is in progress to assess this further. Originality/value - This is the first study reporting TFU results and patient satisfaction to the usual alternative two-week outpatient review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, UK.
authors.forename: Jeremy J S L
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, UK.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pelosini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013689:Telephone
keywords: Cataract surgery; Patient safety; Quality healthcare; Quality improvement; Satisfaction; Telephone follow-up