Identifying the Factors that Influence the Use of Care Coordination in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Abstract

Coordination of the necessary efforts of medical personnel, caregivers, and social networks to support a patient with a chronic health condition increases time consumption and costs. According to a CDC study from 2023, six out of ten Americans suffer from chronic illnesses, including diabetes, which can lead to other medical complications like diabetic retinopathy (DR). Care coordination programs are one of the systems currently in use to assist in the management of patient’s healthcare and the network of individuals involved in their treatment plans. Compared to institutions that utilize fewer care coordination systems, those that use these programs consistently have much higher patient attendance rates. Therefore, it is important that to improve the current systems we comprehend the user experience with care coordination. To study the barriers and motivations underlying participation in care coordination programs among diabetes patients, we created an interview utilizing the Integrated Behavior Model (IBM). The findings from our interviews will contribute to the body of existing literature by identifying barriers and motivators that must be taken into consideration when designing DR screening system aids.