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Clinical and Experimental Optometry Volume 103, 2020 - Issue 2
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Research

Standardising the cataract referral process for public hospitals: perspectives of optometrists in New South Wales, Australia

Kam Chun HoInjury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,;School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Joseph TranSchool of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Duyen HoangSchool of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Shweta KaushikSave Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,;Neuroscience and Vision Division, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Belinda FordInjury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,;Neuroscience and Vision Division, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Anna PalagyiInjury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Vu Quang DoInjury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Fiona StapletonSchool of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
,
Andrew WhiteSave Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,;Neuroscience and Vision Division, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
&
Lisa KeayInjury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,;School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
 show all
Pages 201-206 | Received 11 Feb 2019, Accepted 24 Apr 2019, Published online: 21 Apr 2021
 
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Abstract

Background

Previous research has shown that cataract surgery referral letters to major metropolitan public hospitals in New South Wales have insufficient detail to inform patient triage or apply prioritisation tools. This study aimed to canvass the views of optometrists working in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) on standardising the referral process for public hospital cataract surgery.

Methods

An online survey was sent to all NSW/ACT members of Optometry Australia in October 2017. Respondents were asked to select clinical and personal information to be included on a referral template using a list of 25 items. Data were also gathered on preferences for the cataract referral process and sources of cataract referral guidelines.

Results

Two hundred and thirteen (response rate 13 per cent) optometrists completed the survey. There was close to universal support for inclusion of items like visual acuity (99 per cent), whereas other items had low support, including the date and details of previous refraction (26 per cent), history of falls (29 per cent) and health insurance status (29 per cent). Three‐quarters of optometrists stated they would be willing to administer and report data from a patient survey about the functional impact of their cataract and level of visual disability. The preferred format of a standardised cataract referral template varied, although time efficiency and ease of completion were commonly cited reasons for preferences. Confirmation of receipt of referral from the public hospital, and a copy of the referral letter for the optometrist's records were also desirable. For the 61 per cent of respondents who reported accessing guidelines for cataract referral, 69 per cent stated the main source was Optometry NSW/ACT with fewer accessing guidelines directly from a public hospital or the NSW Health website.

Conclusion

Optometrists’ preferences will be useful to inform the design and implementation of a standardised cataract referral template.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sarah‐Jane Waller from the New South Wales Agency for Clinical Innovation and Andrew McKinnon from Optometry New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory provided advice on survey design. We would like to thank the survey participants for their contributions.

Supporting information

Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article at the publisher’s website:

Appendix S1. Cross‐sectional survey questions to obtain the views of optometrists on the design and format of a standardised cataract referral template.

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