Center for retinal pathology within the new model of organizational structure in the “Ophthalmology”profile for diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract

Relevance. The most serious consequences of the global epidemic of diabetes are its systemic vascular complications, one of which is diabetic retinopathy as the most common cause of visual function loss among diabetic patients and the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment among the working population. However, with a well-organized screening system and early detection of this complication, more than 80% of cases of blindness and visual impairment can be prevented or treated. One of such approaches is the establishment of a specialized ophthalmological Center, which will elevate medical care for patients with diabetes complications to a qualitatively new level. Purpose of the study is to evaluate the functional role of the created retinal pathology centre within the framework of the new information and technological model of medical care in the profile «ophthalmology» for diabetic retinopathy in the Tomsk region. Materials and methods. The data of the federal statistical observation form No. 12 were used as materials. Statistical analysis methods: analytical; descriptive statistical method. The critical level of significance was set at p <0.05 (95%). Data processing was carried out using electronic spreadsheets «MSOffice Excel 2010» and the application package «Statistica» for Windows 10.0. Results. In the Tomsk region, a project is being implemented to introduce a unified organizational model of telemedicine service for monitoring diabetic retinopathy based on artificial intelligence technology, including a regional expert Center for retinal pathology as the main organizational and methodological unit, operating in close collaboration with healthcare institutions in the Tomsk region. Тhe Center’s task is early detection of diabetic retinopathy with further organizational and methodological support for identified cases. The activities of the Center are regulated by regional legal documentation aimed at regulating its work and adapting a new patient routing scheme for patients with diabetic retinopathy. The expected results of the project will reduce the predicted visual disability due to diabetic retinopathy in the Tomsk region to 80%, which will have a positive impact on the main performance indicators of the ophthalmological service in the region. Findings. The model allows for the integration of the Center for Retinal Pathology, prevention rooms of medical organizations, including remote municipal entities of the Tomsk region, equipped with ophthalmological fundus cameras for digital retinal photography, the ability to exchange data between networked medical organizations and the Center for Retinal Pathology. All these organizational changes will have a positive impact on reducing the overall prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the region.