Primary care physicians’ knowledge of the ophthalmic effects of diabetes

Abstract

Objectives Previous studies suggest that many diabetic patients do not receive an annual dilated eye examination due to a lack of referrals from primary care providers (PCPs). This study aims to determine the depth of knowledge of PCPs regarding diabetic eye disease. Design Cross sectional assessment Participants Ninety-seven primary care physicians Methods An 8 question, multiple-choice assessment was administered over a three month period to two hundred eight PCPs in attendance at continuing medical education conferences. Results Ninety-seven PCPs completed the assessment. Participants had a mean total score of 5.9 out of 8 possible (73.8%). Questions regarding screening, clinical findings, and prevention were answered correctly by 81% or more of the respondents. However, questions regarding risk factors and complications were answered correctly by less than 35% of the respondents. No difference in scores was found based on the type of residency training received or the number of years in practice. Conclusions Although PCPs may require greater education in the complications and risk factors of diabetic eye disease, study participants demonstrated a good overall depth of knowledge regarding diabetic eye disease. Thus, previous reports of only 35%–55% of diabetic patients receiving an annual dilated fundus exam are likely not due to a lack of physician education.

Ophthalmic Screening Patterns Among Youths With Diabetes Enrolled in a Large US Managed Care Network

“…Health care professional factors may also play a role. Although previous studies of Canadian general practitioners have found that more than 80% to 90% were aware of ophthalmic screening guidelines for adults with type 2 diabetes, it is unclear to what extent primary care physicians are aware that these guidelines also apply to children with type 2 diabetes. One Canadian survey reported that only 13% of 645 general practitioners believed that the initial screening for patients newly diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes should be performed 5 years after diagnosis, but 81% believed that the initial screening for patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes was supposed to occur sooner (shortly after initial diagnosis).…”

Diabetic retinopathy: Knowledge, awareness and practices of physicians in primary-care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…Because PCPs are the main providers for diabetic care in Saudi Arabia, assessing their knowledge, awareness and practices regarding DR is a determining factor for blindness prevention. Studies addressing diabetic eye disease awareness among PCPs have been conducted in other countries 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Khandekar et al, who studied Omani physicians, demonstrated some limitation in knowledge and practice of eye care 20 .…”

“…Studies addressing diabetic eye disease awareness among PCPs have been conducted in other countries. 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 Khandekar et al, who studied Omani physicians, demonstrated some limitation in knowledge and practice of eye care. 20 A survey of the Canadian family physicians highlighted some areas of knowledge defects regarding screening guidelines of diabetic retinopathy.…”

Diabetic Eye Screening: Knowledge and Perspectives from Providers and Patients

“…It is essential to understand both primary care and eye care provider perspectives to better address provider barriers to increasing diabetic eye screening rates. Primary care providers have adequate knowledge and awareness of diabetic eye screening guidelines [36], but encounter barriers to ensuring patients obtain screening due to the high burden and complexity of tasks they are required to complete during an average 15–20 min patient clinic visit as well as lack of access to patients’ eye exam records [5]. Additionally, eye care providers face rapidly growing demands for diabetic eye screening, with an increasing shortage of eye care providers in many areas of the USA and worldwide [13, 14••].…”

“…Most primary care providers are knowledgeable regarding diabetic eye screening guidelines. In a knowledge-based survey, 81% of primary care providers achieved adequate scores, demonstrating that low screening rates are more likely to be explained by factors other than lack of provider knowledge [36, 37]. Most primary care providers do not feel that their eye exam skills are adequate to perform diabetic eye screening.…”