Abstract
Purpose :
Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of preventable non-reversible vision loss in the United States that disproportionately affects minority populations. We investigated the change in diabetic retinopathy screening rates at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) after implementing a volunteer program dedicated to that purpose.
Methods :
Population: this study was performed at a local FQHC in Phoenix, AZ.
Methods: diabetic retinopathy screening rates were compared before and after implementation of the volunteer screening program. Prior to this, screening was performed by medical assistants as part of their patient workup. The program involved assigning volunteers to a diabetic screening role during volunteer nights, which occurred twice weekly. Screening was performed using an automated non-mydriatic fundus camera (NMFC) (RetinaVue 700, Welch Allyn, Inc., New York). These images were uploaded to the patient chart and interpreted by a community ophthalmologist. Following this date, screenings were performed via both referral and use of the RetinaVue. Images from the RetinaVue were sent to a community ophthalmologist for interpretation.
Primary Outcome: percentage of qualifying patients who were screened for diabetic retinopathy. Qualifying patients were those seen at the clinic who were 18-75 years of age, with an active diagnosis of diabetes, who had not been screened within the last 12 months. Patients were counted as being screened if they were either imaged with the RetinaVue or if they were referred to an outside ophthalmologist for screening.
Results :
Twelve months after implementation of the program, screening rate had increased by 12%. In November 2022, 60% (427/708) of qualifying patients were screened. In November 2023, 72% (586/814) of patients were screened. Rates are shown in Figure 1.
Conclusions :
Implementation of student volunteer program for diabetic retinopathy screenings was followed by an increase in screening rates at the clinic. Technological innovations like the RetinaVue enabled feasible student participation in this process and may represent a useful way to increase diabetic retinopathy screening in the primary care setting and decrease the burden of the disease in vulnerable populations.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.