The AL-SIGHT Program: Participant Satisfaction in Year 1

Abstract

Purpose : The Alabama Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and eye Health through Telemedicine (AL-SIGHT) program was developed to engage at-risk populations living in rural Alabama who have limited access to eye care. AL-SIGHT utilizes remote optic nerve assessment to identify glaucoma and other eye diseases in patients seen at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). This study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of participants enrolled in the first year of the AL-SIGHT program.

Methods : Three FQHCs in rural, underserved communities in Alabama enrolled participants with one or more risk factors: Black or Hispanic ≥ 40 years, White ≥ 50 years, diabetes, a pre-existing glaucoma diagnosis, and/or a family history of glaucoma. After demographic surveys and a brief eye health education program were administered, participants received visual acuity and IOP measurement, autorefraction, visual field testing, fundus photos, and optic nerve and macular optical coherence tomography. A satisfaction survey was then administered to the participant at the conclusion of the encounter with the research coordinator. Survey responses were analyzed with frequencies and percentages.

Results : Among the 340 participants enrolled, 297 (87.4%) were very satisfied and 42 (12.4%) were satisfied with the telemedicine program. 287 (84.4%) were very satisfied and 53 (15.6%) were satisfied with the time spent for the program. 312 (92%) found the location of screening very convenient and 27 (7.9%) found it convenient. 323 (95%) were very likely and 17 (5%) were somewhat likely to recommend the program to others.

Conclusions : The AL-SIGHT program had near total participant satisfaction. Participants also found the program location in the FQHCs where the participants also receive their primary care to be convenient. High satisfaction levels can be used to promote telemedicine programs to patients and increase access to eye care services especially in rural areas.

This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.