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McGrath R, Ahern E, James M, Idrees Z, O'Connell E. Ophthalmology inpatient consultations: an Irish tertiary hospital experience. Eye (Lond) 2024:10.1038/s41433-024-03354-0. [PMID: 39300191 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-03354-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ophthalmology consultation on inpatients is often important to optimise eye care and provide information for referring teams. Inpatient consultation may constitute a not-insignificant workload however. This study reports on the nature and necessity of ophthalmology inpatient consults in a large Irish hospital. METHODS Retrospective analysis of all consecutive ophthalmology inpatient consultations over a 12-month period. RESULTS In total, 359 consult requests were received primarily from adult medicine (57.9%), surgery (22%) and paediatric teams (18.4%). The most common reasons for referral were loss of vision (23.7%); visual field testing (15%); diplopia or abnormal eye movements (11.4%); and screening for ocular features of systemic disease (10.6%). Presumptive diagnoses by referring teams were correct in 29.5% of cases. The majority had normal eye examinations (53.2%) or non-sight-threatening features (16.8%), while a minority had acute eye pathology (30%). Most patients (80.4%) required no intervention. A minority required medical (12.5%), orthoptic (4.6%) or surgical (2.4%) intervention. The majority of patients (81%) were fit for transfer to the eye clinic and did not require bedside examination. CONCLUSIONS Our study found a high proportion of ophthalmology inpatient consultations had normal eye exams and required no intervention. The quality of referrals was variable suggesting that clearer guidelines and more ophthalmology education is needed for referring teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert McGrath
- Ophthalmology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Edward Ahern
- Ophthalmology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mark James
- Ophthalmology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Zubair Idrees
- Ophthalmology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Eamonn O'Connell
- Ophthalmology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
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Gerbutavicius R, Merle DA, Wolf A, Dimopoulos S, Kortuem KU, Kortuem FC. User Friendliness and Perioperative Guidance Benefits of a Cataract Surgery Education App: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e55742. [PMID: 38551619 PMCID: PMC11015376 DOI: 10.2196/55742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cataract surgeries are among the most performed surgeries worldwide. A thorough patient education is essential to inform patients about the perioperative process and postoperative target results concerning the intraocular lens and objectives for visual outcomes. However, addressing all relevant aspects and questions is time-consuming. Mobile apps can facilitate this process for both patients and physicians and thus be beneficial. However, the success of such an app depends on its user friendliness and acceptance by patients. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the user friendliness and acceptance of a cataract surgery education app on mobile devices among patients undergoing cataract surgery, the characteristics of patients who benefit the most from app use, and the influence of the app on patient satisfaction with treatment. METHODS All patients who underwent cataract surgery at an ophthalmological practice from August 2020 to July 2021 were invited to participate in this randomized controlled trial. Out of 493 invited patients, 297 (60.2%) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized into 3 different groups. Half of the patients were offered to participate in Group 1 with use of the "Patient Journey" app. However, if they decided not to use the app, they were included in Group 2 (app denial). The other half of the patients were included in Group 3 (control) with no use of the app and with information provided conventionally. The app provided general information on the ophthalmological center, surgeons, cataract, and treatment options. Different questionnaires were used in all 3 groups to evaluate satisfaction with the perioperative process. Group 1 evaluated the app. Demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, and educational degree, were assessed. RESULTS Group 1 included 77 patients (median age 69 years). Group 2 included 61 patients, and their median age was higher (median age 79 years). Group 3 included 159 patients (median age 74 years). There was no difference in satisfaction with the perioperative process and clinic between the 3 groups. Almost all app users appreciated the digital details provided for the organization and the information on the surgery. Age did not play a major role in appreciation of the app. Female patients tended to appreciate the information provided more than male patients. Patients who did not have a higher university degree experienced more benefits from the informational content of the app and were the most satisfied with the information. However, male patients and academics were in general more aware of technology and handled the app more easily. CONCLUSIONS The app showed high user friendliness and acceptance, and could particularly benefit specific patient groups. App users demonstrated a noninferior high satisfaction with the treatment in the ophthalmological center in comparison with patients who were informed about the surgery only conventionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rokas Gerbutavicius
- Department for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- University Eye Hospital, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - David A Merle
- Department for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Wolf
- University Eye Hospital, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Karsten Ulrich Kortuem
- University Eye Hospital, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Augenarztpraxis Dres. Kortuem, Ludwigsburg, Germany
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Gameiro GR, Yabumoto C, Osaki MH, Monteiro LG, Schor P, Osaki TH. Objective demonstration of eyelid spasm relief with smartphone and custom software in hemifacial spasm patients. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:144. [PMID: 38498055 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To objectively demonstrate eyelid spasms relief in hemifacial spasm (HFS) patients using a smartphone and a custom-made software. METHODS Nineteen patients with HFS had standardized videos recorded with a smartphone (iPhone 6S, Apple) camera before and 15 days after receiving onabotulinumtoxinA injections. Nineteen age-matched control subjects were also assessed. The Eye Aspect Ratio (EAR) is an algorithm previously described to determine whether the eye is opened or closed. When the eye is closed, EAR tends to be closer to zero. Analogously, if the eye is wide open, values are greater. A custom-made software using the EAR concept was developed and pre- and post-treatment EARs were analyzed to assess HFS patients. RESULTS Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections led to a significant increase in the average EAR of the affected side: + 10.4% (p = 0.0175) of HFS patients, compared to baseline. Mean EAR before BoNT applications were significantly lower (16.2%) on the affected side (0.25 ± 0.05) of HFS patients when compared to controls (0.30 ± 0.05, p = 0.004). After BoNT injections, no statistically significant difference was observed for the average EAR between the affected side of HFS patients (0.27 ± 0.04) and controls (p = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS Use of a smartphone and custom-made software objectively demonstrated eyelid spasm relief in patients with HFS. Additional refinement of this system could permit more accurate assessments of treatment response rates for each patient, making it possible to be used in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo R Gameiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, R. Botucatu, 822, 04023-062, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cristina Yabumoto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, R. Botucatu, 822, 04023-062, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Midori H Osaki
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, R. Botucatu, 822, 04023-062, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Eye & Eyelid Experts, R. Joao Moura, 661, cj 84, 05412-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas G Monteiro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Santo Amaro (UNISA), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Schor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, R. Botucatu, 822, 04023-062, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tammy H Osaki
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, R. Botucatu, 822, 04023-062, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Eye & Eyelid Experts, R. Joao Moura, 661, cj 84, 05412-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Nagino K, Okumura Y, Akasaki Y, Fujio K, Huang T, Sung J, Midorikawa-Inomata A, Fujimoto K, Eguchi A, Hurramhon S, Yee A, Miura M, Ohno M, Hirosawa K, Morooka Y, Murakami A, Kobayashi H, Inomata T. Smartphone App-Based and Paper-Based Patient-Reported Outcomes Using a Disease-Specific Questionnaire for Dry Eye Disease: Randomized Crossover Equivalence Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e42638. [PMID: 37535409 PMCID: PMC10436120 DOI: 10.2196/42638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using traditional patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as paper-based questionnaires, is cumbersome in the era of web-based medical consultation and telemedicine. Electronic PROs may reduce the burden on patients if implemented widely. Considering promising reports of DryEyeRhythm, our in-house mHealth smartphone app for investigating dry eye disease (DED) and the electronic and paper-based Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) should be evaluated and compared to determine their equivalency. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to assess the equivalence between smartphone app-based and paper-based questionnaires for DED. METHODS This prospective, nonblinded, randomized crossover study enrolled 34 participants between April 2022 and June 2022 at a university hospital in Japan. The participants were allocated randomly into 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. The paper-app group initially responded to the paper-based Japanese version of the OSDI (J-OSDI), followed by the app-based J-OSDI. The app-paper group responded to similar questionnaires but in reverse order. We performed an equivalence test based on minimal clinically important differences to assess the equivalence of the J-OSDI total scores between the 2 platforms (paper-based vs app-based). A 95% CI of the mean difference between the J-OSDI total scores within the ±7.0 range between the 2 platforms indicated equivalence. The internal consistency and agreement of the app-based J-OSDI were assessed with Cronbach α coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficient values. RESULTS A total of 33 participants were included in this study. The total scores for the app- and paper-based J-OSDI indicated satisfactory equivalence per our study definition (mean difference 1.8, 95% CI -1.4 to 5.0). Moreover, the app-based J-OSDI total score demonstrated good internal consistency and agreement (Cronbach α=.958; intraclass correlation=0.919; 95% CI 0.842 to 0.959) and was significantly correlated with its paper-based counterpart (Pearson correlation=0.932, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the equivalence of PROs between the app- and paper-based J-OSDI. Implementing the app-based J-OSDI in various scenarios, including telehealth, may have implications for the early diagnosis of DED and longitudinal monitoring of PROs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Nagino
- Department of Hospital Administration, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Okumura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasutsugu Akasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- AI Incubation Farm, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Fujio
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tianxiang Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jaemyoung Sung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akie Midorikawa-Inomata
- Department of Hospital Administration, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Fujimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Eguchi
- Department of Hospital Administration, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shokirova Hurramhon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alan Yee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maria Miura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mizu Ohno
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Hirosawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Morooka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Murakami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kobayashi
- Department of Hospital Administration, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takenori Inomata
- Department of Hospital Administration, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Digital Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- AI Incubation Farm, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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