The burden of acute eye conditions on different healthcare providers: a retrospective population-based study.
Br J Gen Pract
; 74(741): e264-e274, 2024 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38438268
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The demand for acute eyecare exponentially outstrips capacity. The public lacks awareness of community eyecare services.AIM:
To quantify the burden of acute eyecare on different healthcare service providers in a national population through prescribing and medicines provision by GPs, optometrists, and pharmacists, and provision of care by accident and emergency (A&E) services. A secondary aim was to characterise some of the drivers of this burden. DESIGN ANDSETTING:
A retrospective data-linkage study set in Wales, UK.METHOD:
Analysis of datasets was undertaken from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank (GP and A&E), the Eye Health Examination Wales service (optometry), and the Common Ailments Scheme (pharmacy) during 2017-2018.RESULTS:
A total of 173 999 acute eyecare episodes delivered by GPs (168 877 episodes) and A&E services (5122) were identified during the study. This resulted in 65.4 episodes of care per 1000 people per year. GPs prescribed a total of 87 973 653 prescriptions within the general population. Of these, 820 693 were related to acute eyecare, resulting in a prescribing rate of 0.9%. A total of 5122 eye-related and 905 224 general A&E attendances were identified, respectively, resulting in an A&E attendance rate of 0.6%. Optometrists and pharmacists managed 51.8% (116 868) and 0.6% (2635) of all episodes, respectively. Older females and infants of both sexes were more likely to use GP prescribing services, while adolescent and middle-aged males were more likely to visit A&E. GP prescribing burden was driven partially by economic deprivation, access to services, and health score. Season, day of the week, and time of day were predictors of burden in GP and A&E.CONCLUSION:
Acute eyecare continues to place considerable burden on GP and A&E services in Wales, particularly in urban areas with greater economic deprivation and lower overall health. This is likely to increase with a rapidly ageing population. With ongoing pathway development to better utilise optometry and pharmacy, and improved public awareness, there may be scope to change this trajectory.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Optometría
Límite:
Adolescent
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Br J Gen Pract
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido