Paediatric ophthalmologyand optometry working together:a model for interprofessionaleducation and collaboration

Abstract

Purpose: The Paediatric Optometry Alignment Program was designed to deal with excessive demandfor paediatric ophthalmology services. This paperwill review the implementation of this collaborativecare program between a paediatric tertiary hospitaland community-based optometrists. The Programobjectives were to:1. Increase optometrists' knowledge and skills in paediatric eye care;2. Build interprofessional relationships and clinicalcommunication pathways between optometry andthe specialist paediatric eye clinic; and3. Improveaccess to eye care, through improved tertiary hospital demand management, and better paediatric eyecare closer to home.Methods: Assessment of clinicians' attitudes andunderstanding of collaboration was determined byfocus group interviews, and by a survey of participatingoptometrists (n = 97; response rate 46% n = 45). Familysatisfaction was examined in a purposive sample of30 patients. Tertiary service access was determined fromexamination of ambulatory waiting list data.Results: 97 optometrists completed paediatric eyecare education and agreed to collaborative care protocols to align in the Program. By November 2017,320 children had been discharged to the network forfuture eye care. Families who had attended a community optometrist rated their experience from goodto excellent. A high level of satisfaction with theprogram was expressed by aligned optometristswith reported an increase in confidence with andinvolvement in paediatric eye care delivery.Conclusion: Collaboration between communitybased optometrists and paediatric ophthalmologistscan improve access to tertiary care whilst maintaining patient satisfaction. Development of interprofessional trust and robust communication pathways arecritical success factors.L6252350172018-12-04 <br />