Patient-Reported Cataract Outcomes After the Introduction of the Griffith Ophthalmology Project in Regional Australia

IF 2.1 4区医学 Q2 NURSING

Australian Journal of Rural Health Pub Date : 2025-09-02 DOI:10.1111/ajr.70088

Jason Chami, Marc P. Chami, Harrison M. Khan, Donna Glenn, Kerrie A. Legg, Dominic McCall, John R. Grigg, Geoffrey T. Painter

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Griffith Ophthalmology Project in improving visual acuity and quality of life (QoL) among cataract surgery patients in regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Griffith Base Hospital's Department of Ophthalmology in the Western Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).

Participants

The 135 patients (168 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery between March 2022 and July 2023 completed QoL surveys.

Main Outcome Measures

Changes in vision-related QoL (assessed by National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire; NEI-VFQ), health-related QoL (assessed by EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level survey; EQ-5D-5L), visual acuity, and surgical waiting times.

Methods

Patients completed the NEI-VFQ and EQ-5D-5L surveys before and/or after surgery. Pre- and post-operative visual acuity and waiting list data were collected and analysed.

Results

EI-VFQ data showed significant enhancements in 11 of 12 QoL subscales (including social functioning and mental health) as well as the composite QoL score. EQ-5D-5L results indicated improvements in all five dimensions, with overall health-related QoL significantly increased. Visual acuity improved significantly, the surgical waitlist was reduced from 123 to 10 patients, and waiting times decreased from 15 to 2 months.

Conclusions

The Griffith Ophthalmology Project significantly improved visual and QoL outcomes for cataract surgery patients in regional NSW and reduced surgical waiting times. This model of utilising visiting specialists and collaborative local support may serve as a template for sustainable regional healthcare services in Australia.

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格里菲斯眼科项目在澳大利亚地区引入后患者报告的白内障结果

目的评价Griffith眼科项目在澳大利亚新南威尔士州地区白内障手术患者中提高视力和生活质量（QoL）的效果。设计回顾性观察性研究。设置格里菲斯基地医院眼科在西Murrumbidgee地方卫生区（MLHD）。在2022年3月至2023年7月期间接受白内障手术的135名患者（168只眼睛）完成了生活质量调查。视力相关生活质量（由美国国家眼科研究所视觉功能问卷评估；NEI-VFQ）、健康相关生活质量（由EuroQol 5维5级调查评估；EQ-5D-5L）、视力和手术等待时间的变化。方法术前、术后对患者进行NEI-VFQ和EQ-5D-5L调查。收集和分析手术前后的视力和等待名单数据。结果EI-VFQ数据显示，12个生活质量分量表中的11个（包括社会功能和心理健康）以及综合生活质量评分均有显著提高。EQ-5D-5L结果表明，所有五个维度都有所改善，总体健康相关生活质量显著提高。视力明显改善，手术等待名单从123例减少到10例，等待时间从15个月减少到2个月。结论Griffith眼科项目显著改善了NSW地区白内障手术患者的视力和生活质量，减少了手术等待时间。这种利用来访专家和协作的地方支持的模式可以作为澳大利亚可持续区域医疗保健服务的模板。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Australian Journal of Rural Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

2.30

自引率

16.70%

发文量

122

审稿时长

12 months

期刊介绍： The Australian Journal of Rural Health publishes articles in the field of rural health. It facilitates the formation of interdisciplinary networks, so that rural health professionals can form a cohesive group and work together for the advancement of rural practice, in all health disciplines. The Journal aims to establish a national and international reputation for the quality of its scholarly discourse and its value to rural health professionals. All articles, unless otherwise identified, are peer reviewed by at least two researchers expert in the field of the submitted paper.