کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
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4013785 | 1261833 | 2013 | 4 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
PurposeTo identify barriers to ophthalmological follow-up in high-risk children who are identified by vision screening and eye examination.MethodsThe records of patients identified as needing follow-up through two free eye care programs (organized optometric and ophthalmologic screening sessions aimed at identifying and treating ocular pathology) targeted toward inner-city youths of low socioeconomic status were reviewed. Parents were contacted by phone, and a questionnaire on barriers to follow-up was administered. Callers attempted to schedule appointments at that time. Data were assessed by means of descriptive analysis.ResultsOf 93 patients, 54 (58%), were successfully contacted. Of these, 23 (25%) were eventually scheduled. Five (5%) patients elected follow-up elsewhere. Twenty (22%) with working phones were still unable to be scheduled. Additional obstacles included families' lack of awareness of the need for follow-up (13%), assumption by families that they would be contacted (5%), scheduling conflicts (4%), concerns about insurance, and difficulty finalizing referrals (2%). A total of 39 patients (42%) were not successfully contacted because of inoperable phone services, and none of the families responded to the mailed questionnaire.ConclusionsInability to contact families was the greatest barrier to follow-up. Our findings suggest that immediate arrangement of follow-up care, on-site visual assessment, and a program director may be useful in increasing follow-up for high-risk children.
Journal: Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus - Volume 17, Issue 2, April 2013, Pages 140–143