1. Impact of Community Eye Clinics (CEC) on Specialist Eye Clinic Referrals.
- Author
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Yunqi K, Kelvin LZ, Lian YS, Min QH, Sheryl TH, Min MC, Fang TY, Wai KL, Hau CC, Cherng Hui YV, Yong Khet Yau V, and Tym WH
- Subjects
- Humans, Retrospective Studies, Male, Female, Middle Aged, Adult, Aged, Health Services Accessibility statistics & numerical data, Ambulatory Care Facilities statistics & numerical data, Adolescent, Young Adult, Community Health Services statistics & numerical data, Child, Aged, 80 and over, Referral and Consultation statistics & numerical data, Ophthalmology statistics & numerical data, Eye Diseases diagnosis, Eye Diseases therapy, Eye Diseases epidemiology
- Abstract
Purpose: Community Eye Clinics (CEC) increase accessibility of specialist ophthalmic services in the community, reducing demand for tertiary eye services. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of CEC on first-visit referrals from Hougang Polyclinic (HOU) to Tan Tock Seng Hospital Ophthalmology Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on first-visit referrals from Hougang Polyclinic (HOU) to Tan Tock Seng Hospital Ophthalmology Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC) over a similar 3-months period before and after the introduction of CEC in August 2018 (1 January to 31 March in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Data pertaining to patients' presenting complaints, referral reasons, final diagnoses, follow-up plans, and need for ophthalmic intervention were obtained., Results: We included 978 patients in our study. There was a 27.5% reduction in the number of first-visit referrals seen at SOC after the establishment of CEC. Patients were more likely to be referred on to sub-specialty eye clinics (10.8% vs. 12.9%, p = p = .304) and receive more ophthalmic interventions (15% vs. 16.3%, p = .066) than prior to CEC., Conclusion: The CEC provides greater accessibility to eye care within the community. Optometrists are upskilled to manage patients with stable eye conditions, whilst eye specialists can provide timely care to the SOC for patients with more severe eye conditions.
- Published
- 2024
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