Affiliation:
1. Business and Management, University of London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2. Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
3. Business and Management, Montpellier University Institute of Business and Management Science, Montpellier, France
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose In response to the spread of COVID-19 in Switzerland, ophthalmology practices implemented a variety of preventive measures in order to minimise the risk of contamination to
their patients and staff. Yet, some studies suggested that over a quarter of all glaucoma patients never returned to the clinic after the first lockdown eased. This raises the question of
the factors influencing Patientsʼ likelihood to keep their appointments in this COVID-19 era. The aim of this study was therefore to assess ophthalmology Patientsʼ perception of COVID-19
preventive measures, as well as their impact on glaucoma Patientsʼ clinic attendance and follow-up.
Methods This was a prospective study based on primary data collected from 12 private ophthalmology clinics in French-speaking Switzerland. A web-based patient experience
questionnaire was designed to assess Patientsʼ appreciation of the preventive measures in place at their eye care provider as well as their intention to attend further follow-up
appointments. These measures were made on modified 10-point Likert scales. Every patient who attended an appointment at one of the participating clinics on randomly selected dates in October
2020 was offered voluntary enrolment into the study.
Results In all, 118 surveys were completed and analysed. The mean age of respondents was 57.8 ± 18.0 years, 59.3% were female, and 71.2% were Swiss nationals. Fifty-four (45.8%) of
them suffered from glaucoma. Overall, patients were highly satisfied with the measures in place to safeguard them from COVID-19 infection, with a mean score of 9.29 ± 1.35. This was higher
amongst Swiss nationals (9.55 ± 0.77) than foreigners (8.65 ± 2.09). On average, responders expressed a 90.2 ± 17.5 percent likelihood to keep their follow-up appointment. The figure went
down to 88.5 ± 19.9 percent amongst glaucoma patients (p = 0.58), and 86.3 ± 22.1 percent amongst glaucoma patients aged 65 and over (p = 0.29). Interestingly, older glaucoma Patientsʼ
satisfaction with preventive measures in place strongly correlated with their likelihood to keep follow-up appointments (r = 0.72). The correlation was moderate amongst all glaucoma patients
(r = 0.46) and weak amongst all respondents (r = 0.38) and those over 65 (r = 0.44).
Conclusions The present research highlights the importance of Patientsʼ perception on COVID-19 preventive measures in place in ophthalmology clinics, which was directly associated
with their likelihood to keep follow-up appointments. Vulnerable subgroups of patients were more likely to miss their follow-up appointments altogether, and their decision to attend was more
strongly influenced by their perceived risk of contracting COVID-19. This suggests a role for telemedicine in more vulnerable patients suffering from progressive diseases such as
glaucoma.
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