Aim
Provide effective patient pathways where an alternate health provider can initiate first contact, assess and commence a treatment pathway, thus enhancing timely access to care and ensuring specialist ophthalmologist resources are utilised effectively.
Outcomes
The potential benefits of this model includes:
- Service redesign and expansion to improve access, maximise safety and provide consistent care
- Improved patient, carer and staff satisfaction
- Patients seen by most appropriate clinician for their condition
- Patients seen sooner
- Potential to collaborate with community optometry to support ongoing ophthalmic care for an ageing population
- More effective utilisation of ophthalmic specialty resources – multidisciplinary model of care
- Reduced need for hospital visits for appointments in Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC)
Background
Ophthalmology services is facing increasing challenges driven by a growing and aging population, an increasing burden of chronic disease and an increased demand. The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS) provides services to a population of approximately 480,000 that is forecast to increase by 21 per cent by 2021. Furthermore, the SCHHS has the highest percentage of the population over 65 years of age compared to the Queensland average. Vision loss trebles for every decade of life after 40 years of age. Data confirms the demand for ophthalmology services significantly outweighs the current services provided by the SCHHS.
Discussion
This initiative included establishing sustainable criteria and a comprehensive evaluation tool.
References
The SCHHS Optometrist Led Clinic is aligning with the RANZCO collaborative care model for the referral pathway for glaucoma management.
Drury, Vicki. (2017). An integrative literature review of the effectiveness of nurse-led clinics in ophthalmology. Insight - the Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses. 22.
Further Reading
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
