Towards holistic approach: General Practitioners and patients with diabetic retinopathy

This small scale exploratory research was an attempt to establish the level of knowledge General Practitioners have in relation to services for people with severe sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy including the availability of relevant information. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of general practitioner practices throughout Wales. Only 34% of the surgeries held any documentation on social support for people with sight loss, whilst 84% felt that such information would be useful to have. None of the information kept was available in alternative formats. The vast majority, 88% were not aware of voluntary organisations involved in social support care for people with diabetic retinopathy or any other visual impairment. Differences were identified between age groups and a small difference between men and women. Ninety-one percent did not provide training in visual awareness for their staff. Perceptions of the main difficulties facing someone with diabetic retinopathy were no different than those with any other visual impairment. The importance of the patient maintaining good diabetic control emerged from the data. The development of an integrated health and social care pathway, including further education and better communication between all relevant parties, would raise awareness of the holistic needs of patients with diabetic retinopathy.