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Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: feasibility and patient satisfaction study

Jeremy J.S.L. Hoffman (Department of Ophthalmology, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, UK)
Lucia Pelosini (Department of Ophthalmology, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Redhill, UK)

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Article publication date: 9 May 2016

468

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.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Caroline Conlon, Caroline Davies, Verity Nicholas and the staff of Limpsfield Ward and the Eye Clinic at East Surrey Hospital for their help in conducting and implementing the telephone follow-ups.

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Citation

Hoffman, J.J.S.L. and Pelosini, L. (2016), "Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: feasibility and patient satisfaction study", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 407-416. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-08-2015-0096

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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