General ophthalmic services in Scotland: value for (public) money?

Task-shifting and the recruitment and retention of eye care workers in under-served areas: a qualitative study of optometrists' motivation in Ghana and Scotland

AIM

To assist policy-makers in improving access to eye care in under-served areas by analysing the relationship between motivational factors affecting the uptake of task-shifting in eye care and the recruitment and retention of optometrists in remote and rural areas.

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization recommends two key strategies in tackling preventable blindness in under-served areas: improving human resources for health and task-shifting. The relationship between task-shifting and recruitment and retention of eye care workers in under-served areas is unknown. Ghana and Scotland are two countries from different levels of economic development that have notably expanded the roles of optometrists and struggle with rural recruitment and retention.

METHODS

Motivation was explored through semi-structured interviews with 19 optometrists in Ghana and Scotland with experience in remote and rural practice. Framework analysis was used to analyse interviews, explore the relationship between task-shifting and recruitment and retention and create recommendations for policy.

FINDINGS

The main motivational considerations included altruism, quality of life, learning and career opportunities, fulfilling potential, remuneration, stress of decision-making and collaboration. Motivational and demotivational factors for task-shifting and recruitment/retention shared many similar aspects.

DISCUSSION

Recruitment and retention in remote and rural areas require staff be incentivised to take up those positions, motivated to remain and given the adequate resources for personal and professional fulfilment. Task-shifting also requires incentivisation, motivation to continue and the resources to be productive. Many motivational factors influencing recruitment/retention and task-shifting are similar suggesting these two strategies can be compatible and complementary in improving access to eye care, although some factors are culture and context specific. Understanding optometrists' motivation can help policy-makers improve rural recruitment and retention and plan services.

The relationship between multiple deprivation and severity of glaucoma at diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with higher odds of chronic diseases, with many individuals living with more than one illness. This study aimed to examine the relationship between deprivation and severity of glaucoma at diagnosis, an important risk factor for glaucoma blindness.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 472 consecutive patients referred by community optometrists to the glaucoma clinic at a university hospital was performed. Glaucoma severity was determined by standard automated perimetry mean deviation (MD) in the worse eye. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) was determined for each patient as a measure of deprivation based on postcode. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between visual field MD and SIMD.

RESULTS

There was a significant relationship between higher levels of deprivation (lower SIMD) and worse severity of glaucoma at diagnosis. 32 of 472 patients (6.8%) had a MD of ≤-6 dB and 11 (2.3%) ≤-12 dB in their better eye. MD in the worse eye was 0.04 dB (95% CI 0.014 to 0.062 dB, P = 0.002) worse for each 100-point decrease in SIMD, with lower SIMD indicating a higher level of deprivation. A higher proportion of patients living in most deprived areas had a MD ≤ -6 dB or ≤ -12 dB at presentation compared to those living in the least deprived areas (14.3% versus 6.8% for ≤ -6 dB and 4.8% versus 0.8% for ≤ -12 dB).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of deprivation were associated with worse glaucoma severity at presentation. The reasons for poorer outcomes in those from more deprived communities need further study so that inequalities can be addressed and the frequency of patients presenting with advanced glaucoma reduced.

Optometrists' Perspectives Regarding Artificial Intelligence Aids and Contributing Retinal Images to a Repository: Web-Based Interview Study

BACKGROUND

A repository of retinal images for research is being established in Scotland. It will permit researchers to validate, tune, and refine artificial intelligence (AI) decision-support algorithms to accelerate safe deployment in Scottish optometry and beyond. Research demonstrates the potential of AI systems in optometry and ophthalmology, though they are not yet widely adopted.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, 18 optometrists were interviewed to (1) identify their expectations and concerns about the national image research repository and their use of AI decision support and (2) gather their suggestions for improving eye health care. The goal was to clarify attitudes among optometrists delivering primary eye care with respect to contributing their patients' images and to using AI assistance. These attitudes are less well studied in primary care contexts. Five ophthalmologists were interviewed to discover their interactions with optometrists.

METHODS

Between March and August 2021, 23 semistructured interviews were conducted online lasting for 30-60 minutes. Transcribed and pseudonymized recordings were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

All optometrists supported contributing retinal images to form an extensive and long-running research repository. Our main findings are summarized as follows. Optometrists were willing to share images of their patients' eyes but expressed concern about technical difficulties, lack of standardization, and the effort involved. Those interviewed thought that sharing digital images would improve collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists, for example, during referral to secondary health care. Optometrists welcomed an expanded primary care role in diagnosis and management of diseases by exploiting new technologies and anticipated significant health benefits. Optometrists welcomed AI assistance but insisted that it should not reduce their role and responsibilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our investigation focusing on optometrists is novel because most similar studies on AI assistance were performed in hospital settings. Our findings are consistent with those of studies with professionals in ophthalmology and other medical disciplines: showing near universal willingness to use AI to improve health care, alongside concerns over training, costs, responsibilities, skill retention, data sharing, and disruptions to professional practices. Our study on optometrists' willingness to contribute images to a research repository introduces a new aspect; they hope that a digital image sharing infrastructure will facilitate service integration.

Will treating progressive myopia overwhelm the eye care workforce? A workforce modelling study

Purpose

Treatments for myopia progression are now available, but implementing these into clinical practice will place a burden on the eye care workforce. This study estimated the full‐time equivalent (FTE) workforce required to implement myopia control treatments in the UK and Ireland.

Methods

To estimate the number of 6‐ to 21‐year‐olds with myopia, two models utilising separate data sources were developed. The examination‐based model used: (1) the number of primary care eye examinations conducted annually and (2) the proportion of these that are for myopic young people. The prevalence‐based model used epidemiological data on the age‐specific prevalence of myopia. The proportion of myopic young people progressing ≥0.25 dioptres (D)/year or ≥0.50 D/year was obtained from Irish electronic health records and the recommended review schedule from clinical management guidelines.

Results

Using the examination and prevalence models, respectively, the estimated number of young people with myopia was 2,469,943 and 2,235,713. The extra workforce required to provide comprehensive myopia management for this target population was estimated at 226–317 FTE at the 0.50 D/year threshold and 433–630 FTE at the 0.25 D/year threshold. Extra visits required for myopia control treatment represented approximately 2.6% of current primary eye care examinations versus 13.6% of hospital examinations.

Conclusions

Implementing new myopia control treatments in primary care settings over the medium‐term is unlikely to overwhelm the eye care workforce completely. Further increases to workforce, upskilling of current workforce and tools to reduce chair time will help to ensure sustainability of the eye care workforce into the future.

Socio-economic differences in accessing NHS spectacles amongst children with differing refractive errors living in Scotland

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Adults living in more deprived areas are less likely to attend an eye examination, resulting in greater visual impairment from undiagnosed eye disease and a widening of health inequalities. It is unknown if the introduction of free NHS eye examinations and help with spectacle costs has benefited children in Scotland. This study aimed to explore factors associated with accessing NHS spectacles including level of deprivation, refractive error, urbanity and age.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

NHS-financed General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) 3 supplement the cost of spectacles for children under 16 years. Administrative data on the spectacle refraction dispensed were obtained from Information Services Division (ISD) for mainland Scotland, 2018, and categorised by: Emmetropes/low hyperopes (reference group), myopes and moderate/high hyperopes. Data were linked to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile.

RESULTS

Data included 108, 043 GOS 3 claims. Greater deprivation was associated with greater GOS 3 claims p = 0.041. This was most evident in emmetropic/low hyperopic children and in moderate/high hyperopic children. GOS 3 claims in the myopes group increased with age across all SIMD and decreased with age in the moderate/high hyperope group (all p < 0.001). GOS 3 claims were not associated with urbanity for all Health Boards (p = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Children in areas of greater deprivation and in more rural areas are not disadvantaged in accessing NHS spectacles. This did not vary by refractive error group. This suggests that health policy in Scotland is accessible to those from all deprivation levels and refractive errors.

Towards transforming community eye care: an observational study and time-series analysis of optometrists' prescribing for eye disorders

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to provide evidence on the therapeutic prescribing activity by community optometrists in Scotland and to determine its impact on workload in general practice and ophthalmology clinics.

STUDY DESIGN

Scottish administrative healthcare data for a 53-month period (November 2013-April 2018) were used to analyse non-medical prescribing practice by optometrists.

METHODS

Using interrupted time-series regression (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average), we assessed the impact of optometrist prescribing on ophthalmology outpatient attendances and general practice prescribing for eye disorders.

RESULTS

A total of 54,246 items were prescribed by 205 optometrists over the study period. Since the commencement of data recording, optometrist prescribing activity increased steadily from a baseline of zero to 1.2% of all ophthalmic items prescribed. Neither the monthly number of items prescribed nor the size of optometric workforce were associated with a reduction in ophthalmology outpatient appointments over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Optometrists increasingly contribute to community ophthalmic prescribing in Scotland, releasing capacity and lessening general practice, but not secondary care workload. There appears to be an underutilisation of optometrists related to the management of dry eye, which represents an opportunity to release further capacity.

Live teleophthalmology avoids escalation of referrals to secondary care during COVID-19 lockdown

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Following the COVID-19 lockdown, uptake of slitlamp-enabled live teleophthalmology increased. Its use contributed to a reduction of referrals escalated to secondary care during-lockdown (avoided: 64% pre-lockdown vs 86% during-lockdown).

BACKGROUND

Live teleophthalmology using video conferencing allows real-time, three-way consultation between secondary care, community providers and patients, improving interpretation of slit lamp findings and potentially reducing referrals to secondary care. NHS Forth Valley implemented live teleophthalmology in March 2019. In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created urgency to deliver ophthalmic care while minimising the risk of contracting or spreading the disease. We aim to compare the uptake and two outcomes (number of avoided secondary care referrals; pattern of presenting conditions) of live teleophthalmology consultations in NHS Forth Valley before and during the COVID-19 national lockdown.

METHODS

An NHS secure video conferencing platform connected the video slit lamps of optometrists, or an iPad mounted on a slit lamp and viewing through the eyepieces, to a secondary care ophthalmologist via a virtual live clinic/waiting area. Data about avoiding a secondary care referral were extracted from a post-consultation ophthalmologist survey for 14 months of data. Pre- and during-lockdown intervals were before/after 23 March 2020, when routine eyecare appointments were suspended. Numbers of avoided referrals to secondary care and patterns of presenting conditions were compared for pre- and during-lockdown periods.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 pandemic markedly increased use of live teleophthalmology in NHS Forth Valley. Surveys were completed for 164 of 250 (66%) teleophthalmology consultations over the study period. Data from 154 surveys were analysed, 78 and 76 for the pre- and during-lockdown periods, respectively. Significantly more during-lockdown (86%) than pre-lockdown (64%; difference 21%, 95% CI 8-34%, p = 0.001) surveys indicated that referrals to secondary care were avoided.

CONCLUSION

Survey data from ophthalmologists suggest significantly fewer escalations to secondary care due to teleophthalmology use.

Care pathways for glaucoma detection and monitoring in the UK

Glaucoma presents considerable challenges in providing clinically and cost-effective care pathways. While UK population screening is not seen as justifiable, arrangements for case finding have historically been considered relatively ineffective. Detection challenges include an undetected disease burden, whether from populations failing to access services or difficulties in delivering effective case-finding strategies, and a high false positive rate from referrals via traditional case finding pathways. The enhanced General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) in Scotland and locally commissioned glaucoma referral filtering services (GRFS) elsewhere have undoubtedly reduced false positive referrals, and there is emerging evidence of effectiveness of these pathways. At the same time, it is recognised that implementing GRFS does not intrinsically reduce the burden of undetected glaucoma and late presentation, and obvious challenges remain. In terms of diagnosis and monitoring, considerable growth in capacity remains essential, and non-medical health care professional (HCP) co-management and virtual clinics continue to be important solutions in offering requisite capacity. National guidelines, commissioning recommendations, and the Common Clinical Competency Framework have clarified requirements for such services, including recommendations on training and accreditation of HCPs. At the same time, the nature of consultant-delivered care and expectations on the glaucoma specialist's role has evolved alongside these developments. Despite progress in recent decades, given projected capacity requirements, further care pathways innovations appear mandated. While the timeline for implementing potential artificial intelligence innovations in streamlining care pathways is far from established, the glaucoma burden presents an expectation that such developments will need to be at the vanguard of future developments.