Socioeconomic differences in glaucoma patients' knowledge, need for information and expectations of treatments

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To study the specific items for which socioeconomic differences in glaucoma patients' knowledge, need for information and expectations of treatments exist, with the aim of developing a patient education programme. Methods: A total of 44 randomly selected ophthalmologists assigned 166 consecutive outpatient glaucoma patients to complete a questionnaire that had been systematically developed based on focus group interviews, suggestions from several experts and a pilot test. Topics included knowledge about glaucoma and its treatment, need for information and expectations of treatment. Educational level was used as a measure for socioeconomic status. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for age, sex and duration of glaucoma. Results: After adjusting for age, sex and duration of glaucoma, knowledge of glaucoma and its treatment was found to be positively correlated with socioeconomic status. Items on knowledge with socioeconomic differences concerned risk factors, pathophysiology and consequences of glaucoma, as well as effects and adverse effects of treatments. The lowest socioeconomic group demonstrated more need for information on public assistance and practical aspects of glaucoma and more often expected that glaucoma damage could be repaired. Conclusion: Important socioeconomic differences in knowledge, need for information and expectations of treatment exist in glaucoma patients. Patient education should focus on every glaucoma patient, but better information for the lower socioeconomic groups about specific items mentioned in this study might reduce the negative effects of low socioeconomic status on visual impairment.

Individualised patient care as an adjunct to standard care for promoting adherence to ocular hypotensive therapy: an exploratory randomised controlled trial

“…Patients' ability to manage glaucoma medications can differ according to their socioeconomic status, health-care experiences, and health beliefs. [10][11][12] Understanding individual patients' needs and providing follow-up support accordingly may prove to be more effective in promoting adherence than a standardised approach.…”

Knowledge about glaucoma and epidemiological profile of subjects seen in a campaign conducted at the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley

“…Authors of a study conducted in the Netherlands emphasised that disadvantaged patients with glaucoma should be educated especially with regard to the risk factors and consequences of the disease; the authors concluded that general knowledge about glaucoma and its treatment is directly related to positive treatment results. In the same study, patients of lower socioeconomic status needed more information about glaucoma, a factor which is often underestimated (6) . Ophthalmic campaigns are mainly intended to benefit a large number of poor people and should focus on factors such as target population, location of health care services, previous screening, and possible referral of patients to specialised services, among others (7) .…”

Preliminary survey of educational support for patients prescribed ocular hypotensive therapy

“…The median educational support score for newly prescribed patients was 12 (range [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. A sample of the information given is presented in Table 3.…”

“…A lack of glaucoma knowledge is frequently cited as a major cause of poor adherence to ocular hypotensive therapy. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Inconsistencies have been found in the assessment of knowledge; questionnaires range from a small number of general questions to detailed questions about diagnostic procedures, 8 which can cause difficulties in identifying specifics gaps in knowledge that potentially affect adherence.…”