Usage of glaucoma-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the Singapore context: a qualitative scoping exercise

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the increasing emphasis on the role of glaucoma-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as relevant outcome measures for the impact of glaucoma and its intervention on patients' daily lives, the feasibility of implementing PROMs in the routine clinical setting in Singapore remains undefined. We aim to evaluate the comprehensibility, acceptability, and relevance of four glaucoma-specific PROMs at healthcare professionals' and patients' level in a Singapore context.MethodsSixteen ophthalmic healthcare professionals and 24 glaucoma patients, with average age 60 years (SD = 15), were invited from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants’ perceptions on the content and administration of four glaucoma-specific PROMs - the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15, Glaucoma Symptom Identifier, Independent Mobility Questionnaire and Treatment Satisfaction Survey of Intra-ocular Pressure. Semi-structured interviews were hand transcribed, and analysed thematically. Each participant filled out a feasibility survey at the end of interview.Results79% of glaucoma patients and 94% of glaucoma healthcare professionals felt selected PROMs relevant to patients. 63% of glaucoma patients and 50% of healthcare professionals felt that selected PROMs were sufficiently comprehensive for clinical use. 46% of glaucoma patients and 56% of healthcare professionals felt selected PROMs were user-friendly.ConclusionsUsing PROMs in the Singapore clinical setting receives promising support from both healthcare professionals and patients. The identified potential barriers tailored to Singapore clinical setting will help successful implementation of PROMs into routine clinical care.

A holistic model of low vision care for improving vision‐related quality of life

“…Clinically assessed vision impairment and their impact on daily function such as reading and mobility tasks are not well assessed to date and available information is often drawn from subjective patient surveys. [36][37][38] Consequently, impacted function relies on the patient actively noticing and reporting difficulties in task performance. Many validated questionnaires are currently available and are typically administered either in person or via telephone, either by themselves, by an interviewer or via proxy.…”

“…The use of appropriate tools to capture these deficits thus becomes paramount to ensure people with eye conditions or vision impairment are getting the best possible individualised care. Clinically assessed vision impairment and their impact on daily function such as reading and mobility tasks are not well assessed to date and available information is often drawn from subjective patient surveys 2018. Consequently, impacted function relies on the patient actively noticing and reporting difficulties in task performance.…”

Vision-related quality of life in patients with a history of congenital glaucoma

“…There is a few of studies on vision-related quality of life regarding those with a history of PCG who are now in their 20s and 30s. To measure QoL in glaucoma patients, a plethora of disease specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been developed, namely the “Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15),” 10 “Glaucoma Symptom Identifier (GSI),” 10,11 “Independent Mobility Questionnaire (IMQ),” 10,12 and “Treatment Satisfaction Survey of Intra-ocular Pressure (TSS-IOP).” 10,13 In this study however, we decided to use a popular, non-glaucoma-specific PROM, NEI VFQ-25, to grasp the effect of PCG on everyday life of patients. 6,14 This PROM was chosen mainly because the long lasting application of NEI VFQ-25 allows for comparing the results of this study with a wider spectrum of research on glaucoma as well as other ophthalmic conditions.…”

<p>The use of patient-reported outcome research in modern ophthalmology: impact on clinical trials and routine clinical practice</p>

“…Hee et al recently explored the feasibility of implementing glaucoma PROMs in daily clinical practice in Singapore 104. They reported that while the majority of health care professionals and patients felt that the four glaucoma PROMs selected for use in this study were relevant to them, there were multiple barriers to their routine use.…”