Optometrist-delivered selective laser trabeculoplasty in the HES - a training protocol and early service evaluation.
Evgenia KonstantakopoulouJay VariaJanisha ParmarNeil NathwaniScott HauWing Shing LowLaura A EdwardsEmma LaberMinak BhallaGus GazzardHari JayaramPublished in: Eye (London, England) (2024)
Over the last decade, the delivery of glaucoma care in the UK has changed dramatically, with more non-medical ophthalmic practitioners involved in the care of glaucoma patients. Optometrists and other non-medical professionals are now involved in the delivery of laser treatments in the Hospital Eye Service (HES), but there is currently no standardised national training framework for non-medical clinicians. Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL's Institute of Ophthalmology have developed and delivered an education and training programme for the delivery of lasers, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) by non-medical ophthalmic practitioners. The training programme is based on medical education principles, is informed by previous qualitative research into the role of ophthalmic practitioners in the delivery of laser treatments and is expected to have multidisciplinary benefits for ophthalmic healthcare. Clinical audit data indicate that optometrists can deliver safe SLT treatments, adhering to local protocols.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- primary care
- quality improvement
- virtual reality
- medical education
- randomized controlled trial
- palliative care
- end stage renal disease
- high speed
- ejection fraction
- general practice
- study protocol
- systematic review
- health information
- mental health
- prognostic factors
- cross sectional
- social media
- big data
- affordable care act
- high resolution
- patient reported outcomes
- machine learning