Open Care System: An Electronic Resource to Facilitate Managed Eye Care

Abstract

Purpose: : Establish a web–based Open Care System (OCS) capitalizing upon current electronic information technologies to effectively manage patient information and facilitate communication among the caregivers of the visually impaired.

Methods: : The objective is to pursue the timely communication of clinical findings and developmental issues in a common language understood by all caregivers. It is critical that parents and teachers have an understanding of the visual disorder and the relevance of key clinical measurements. It is equally important that eye doctors understand the role of educators in promoting the child’s best possible development. This proposal suggests these as the steps toward empowering all caregivers to minimize the impact of visual impairment on the development and quality of life for the child. The OCS is established to enhance communication and record patient related data. Real–time results are produced charting each enrolled child’s progress. Evaluations of the project are conducted through the use of the Oregon Project and modified Picker Surveys. An overall study is conducted to evaluate the impact of the OCS system on vision care in general.

Results: : A pilot website has been established at http://www.mrrcmedia.org/OCR/. It serves as a starting point for: 1) the visual design of the system, 2) some of the basic and superficial system operations, 3) the need to improve the layout and use Internet features for quick and intuitive point–and–click operations and 4) the need to expand the scope of the system to include additional goals that can directly benefit the children participating in the project. Feasibility data from the Open Care Record study, which preceded the OCS project found that 1/3 of respondents in a survey reported poor coordination of care between Children’s Hospital and the Perkins School. These responses were in sharp contrast to the positive feedback received in response to other questions on the survey. This indicates the need for better communication and coordination, which the OCS provides.

Conclusions: : The Open Care System capitalizes upon current electronic information technologies to effectively manage patient information and facilitate communication among caregivers.It offers an online record to be shared and updated by the parents, teachers and doctors of these children. It supports informed ophthalmic care through the sharing of knowledge among parents, teachers of children with visual impairment and eye care professionals.

Keywords: infant vision • visual development: infancy and childhood • learning