Abstract
Purpose :
Optimizing low vision (LV) care for patients with residual vision is of public health concern. Deciphering the complex interrelatedness into tractable subcomponents is paramount to enhancing the overall quality of life of patients with residual and/or vision impairment in Ghana. The HM KNUST Low Vision Project sought to primarily explore and provide in-depth insight into the LV landscape in Ghana and auxiliary aim to enhance LV practice in West Africa. Here, we present preliminary data on the mode and factors related to the referral of LV patients among eye care professionals in Ghana.
Methods :
The HM KNUST Low Vision Study was established on April 01, 2023, involving two academic institutions: the Hochschule München in Germany and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. The study utilizes a hierarchical systems approach (encompassing stakeholders, patients, and eyecare providers) to unravel the burden, coverage, workload, and gaps in services for LV care and concurrently leverage professional workshops to optimize LV care.
Results :
200 eyecare providers (aged 23-56 years; sex ratio 1:1.1) completed the survey. Eighty (41.00%) optometrists, 61(30.5%) ophthalmic nurses, 40(20.00%) opticians, and 17(8.5%) ophthalmologists with an average year of practice of 5 years. The proportion of clinician non-referrals was 151(77.04%). There was nearly a non-existent of standard LV referral documents 195(97.5%), with slightly more than half 110 (59.14%) found to utilize generalized referral forms by the Ghana Health Service(GHS) and a considerable number of providers identified to refer by written letter 30(16.13) and paper note and/or phone calls 46(24.73%). The barriers to non-referrals were identified as lack of specific LV referral form 120(61.22%), absence of LV referral centers 78(39.8%), and public eyecare practice 104(68.87%). Only 75(39.47%) of eyecare providers reported to have received feedback after referral.
Conclusions :
The study revealed markedly high LV non-referral rates, with a lack of standard LV referral documents and LV referral centers as the main barriers. The findings underscore our establishment of major LV referral centers across all levels of health care as well as the development of validated LV specific referral documents to streamline referrals and feedback among eye care providers in Ghana.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.