Eye on Diabetes: A Multidisciplinary Patient Education Intervention

January 2, 2007 updated by: Nova Southeastern University

Eye Health and Vision Care for Patients With Diabetes: Comparing Usual Care to a Targeted Intervention in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Vision loss from diabetes is often preventable with timely detection and treatment. Patients with diabetes may not understand the importance of annual dilated eye examinations or recognize the benefits of early detection of diabetic eye disease. The proposed research project compares usual eye care to eye care emphasizing patient education for adult patients with diabetes.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Patients with diabetes may not understand the importance of annual dilated eye examinations or recognize the benefits of early detection of diabetic eye disease. The goal of this study is to compare the efficacy of usual care to an intervention emphasizing patient education targeted at a multicultural adult patient population with diabetes seeking eye care in an academic health center. The specific aims of this study are to evaluate patient knowledge of preventive health strategies for diabetes as they pertain to eye health and vision care, to assess patient satisfaction with eye and vision care, and to promote interdisciplinary collaboration in the care of patients with diabetes.

Ninety patients were randomized to two arms representing usual care and an intervention emphasizing patient education targeted at English-speaking adults with diabetes seeking eye care in an academic health center. The project was developed within the Health Professions Division at Nova Southeastern University.

Participation was comprised of a comprehensive eye health and vision examination, patient education, and completion of study instruments described below. A demographic survey documenting patient age, sex, physician-reported HbA1C, education, and birthplace was administered to all patients at baseline. Race and ethnicity were self reported using categories in current use by the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD).

Patients assigned to the intervention were provided with a written report at the conclusion of the examination. The triplicate form included a report of eye examination findings with a copy designated for the medical record, the primary care physician, and the patient. The back side of the patient's copy included educational materials targeted at a layperson while the physician's copy included information directed at a primary health care provider.

Patients assigned to usual care received patient education at the discretion of the eye care provider. Following the initial examination, all medical records were reviewed with attention to communication with other health care providers, as well as other issues related to continuity and coordination of care. Patients assigned to usual care were mailed additional written educational materials at the conclusion of the study, after all study instruments had been completed.

Patients assigned to the intervention were invited to participate in a supplementary seminar that reinforced the educational message delivered at the time of the initial examination. A multidisciplinary (optometry, pharmacy, endocrinology) patient education curriculum incorporating materials from the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) Diabetic Eye Disease Public Education Program, the "ABC's of diabetes", an interactive activity, and a question and answer session was developed for patients randomized to the intervention.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

90

Phase

  • Early Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Florida
      • Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States, 33328
        • Sanford L. Ziff Health Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult patients with Type I or Type II Diabetes
  • English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Visual acuity worse than 20/60

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Educational/Counseling/Training
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Patient knowledge (pre-test, post-test, and 3 month post-test)
Patient satisfaction post-examination

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Heidi Wagner, OD, MPH, Nova Southeastern University, Health Professions Division

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

October 1, 2004

Study Completion

October 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 2, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 2, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

January 4, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 4, 2007

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 2, 2007

Last Verified

December 1, 2006

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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